MAGISTERIAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5992, 29 July 1887, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

POLICE COURT.

CHRISTCHURCH. This Dat.

(Before R. Westenra and J. V. Robs, Esqs.)

Drunkenness. — A first offender was fined Ss, or twenty-four tours' imprisonment.

Crueltt to a Horse. — James Reid was charged on remand with this offence, alleged to have been committed in Latimer square on July 23. Mr Joyce appeared to prosecute on behalf of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Mr Bruges appeared for the defendant. F. W. Delamain deposed that he saw the defendant riding the horse in Hereford street, near Latimer square, and beating it most unmercifully. C. Calvert, veterinary surgeon, stated that he had examined the horse and found no markß of ill-usage. Witness did not consider the animal had been ill-treated. Mr Bruges called the accused, who stated that he had merely struck the horse on the shoulder two or three times with a supplejack because the animal was restive. To Hr Joyce : He might have had a drink or two tut was quite sober. The horse was rewly clipped, and had it had its coat on the marks of the strokes would not have shown at all. John Sheehan corroborated EeicVs statement. He did not consider that the latter used any cruelty. James Torrens deposed that he had examined the horse after Eeid had ridden it, and could see no marks of ill-treatment on it. Thomaa Lawrence and — Hart deposed that they had examined the horse, and could only see some small wales, such as would be caused by a very slight stroke. Mr Westenra said the evidence of Mr Delamain, who was a perfectly impartial witness, could not be got over. The Bench would convict, and fine the defendant 10s, with costs, solicitor's fee, and witness' expenses, a total of £2 19s.

Alleged Forgert. — William Story was charged with forging a cheque on the Bank of New South Wales, Christchurch, for £1 15s, purporting to be signed by George Wood, of Woolston, and uttering the same to Margaret Smart, of Sydenham, on July 21. Inspector Pender 6aid that there were other charges against the prisoner, who had asked for a remand in order to enable him to obtain a solicitor. Under the circumstances the police had no objection. The accused was remanded to Friday next at the Provinoial Council Chamber.

Illegal Distraint for Rent.—Stevenson v. Chillingworth and Wilson. Mr Holmes appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Austen appeared for the defendants. The claim was for Jeso, being the value of the things seized and for the wrong done. It appeared that the plaintiff rented land from the defendant Chillingworth, for whom the other defendant, Wilson, acted as agent, and it was alleged that on March 15 tho defendant Wilson, without any legal authority of the landlord, distrained and seized illegally three cows, a plough, and some oats, belonging to the defendants. After hearing the evidence of Greer, the agent for Tophara who acted as bailiff for the defendants in the matter, Mr Austen, for the defendants, abandoned the defence, but submitted that the plaintiff was

only entitled to _Sl6 17s 6d, tbe amount for which the cows were sold. Mr Austen also asked that execution be stayed in order to allow the defendants to sue the plaintiff for rent owing. Mr Holmes asked that substantial damages be given to the plaintiff. The law, he said, allowed _250 as special damages for the wrong done. The Bench gave judgment for -238, with coats, but stayed execution for a fortnight. ~ln M'Gregor v. Knapp, judgment was given for the plaintiff for £\ and costs.