MAGISTERIAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7180, 3 June 1891, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

«, CHRISTCHTJRCH. This Day. (Before R. Beetham, Esq., E.M.) Railway By-laws. — Agnea M'Nab, who did not appear, was fined 10s for attempting to get into a moving train at theOhristchurch railway station on May 4. — W. J. Hoddinott was fined 20s for driving his horse and cart over the Sydenham railway crossing while a trainwas approaching, and 10s for furiously driving over the crossing, on May 9. Prohibited. — On the application of her husband, the publicans of Christohurch and suburbs were prohibited from supplying drink to Mary Anne Brightmore. Selling Small FisH.—The Bench gave* judgment in a case against R. M. Griffiths, who acted a3 a fish Balesman for the Christchurch fishmongers, selling the fish to them by auction on a section near the railway station. He was found practically guilty of the charge, aB it was his business, in the Court's opinion, to make himself acquainted with ■ | the size of the fish he sold. He would be : fined 20s and costs. Mr Martin appeared in support of the information, and leave j was granted to Mr Russell, who appeared | for the defence, to appeal. ! Alleged Laeceny. — Charles Herbert Baker was charged with the larceny of a coat, value £4>, from Alexander Worden, at the Royal Hotel, on or about May 14. Accused elected to be dealt with summarily, and was defended by Mr Crosswell. Alexander Worden, a warehouseman : Lived at tha Royal Hotel. Hun* his coat up in the passage at the hotel yesterday fortnight (May 19), and miesed it when he required it next on the following Thursday. Next time he saw it was Monday, May 25, in Detective Neill's possession. Recognised the coat (produced) by its similarity to ; the cape, which was not taken. Rose Annie M'Cormack: Kept a second-hand ■hop in Lower High street. Bought th» coat (produced) from the accused on Thursday, May 14, for 10s. Was sure as to accused's identity, because he came into the shop five minutes before and went out again before he returned to Bell the ooat. Detective Robert Neill : On Saturday, May 23 went into a house in Salisbury Grove. Detective O'Connor went into the back of the building. Accused made a bolt out of the back, and Detective O'Connor caught him. Asked him what he was running away for. He said he was afraid of the " Vag," meaning the Vagrant Act. Took \ the accused to M'Cormick's shop, where he ■ was identified by Rose Anne M'Cormick, i but not by ber sister, who said he I was like the man. It was about May 16 or 17 that the loss of the coat was reported to the police. Rose Anne M'Cormick, recalled : On Tuesday, May 19, the detective got the coat. Alexander Worden, recalled: Hung the coat up on Tuesday fortnight. It might have been three weeks ago. Recognised the coat by a small break in the collar, which had been mended since it was loßt. J. Thomas : Lived at the Royal Hotel, and recognised the coat as that belonging to Worden. Detective Neill, re-called: Produced the report made to him about the loss of the coat. It was dated May 19. The loss was reported on May 18, at 10 p.m., and stated that the coat was missed on May 14. Mr Cresswell addressed the Bench, and called the accused, who was sworn, and said he never saw the overooat until that day, and never pawned one at M'Cormick's. Miss M'Cormick said she thought he was the man, but her Bißter Baid he was not. He voluntarily went to the place for identification, and offered to go in alone instead of being put amongst a crowd of men to be picked out. He did this because he was innocent. Accused was given the benefit of the doubt and was discharged. Alleged Breach ofthh Licensing Act. —John Franks was charged that, being; the licensee of the Talbot Arms, Yaldhurst, he unlawfully supplied liquor to one William M'Lennan when in a state of intoxication, on afay 13. Mr Deacon appeared for the accused, and an adjourn- , ment sine cite was arranged for, to ensure the attendance of one of the principal witnesses, who could not attend that day , owing to illnpWi