MAGISTERIAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5279, 8 June 1895, Page 4

MAGISTERIAL.

CHRISTCHUROH. Satubday, Juke 8.

(Before Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M.) Drunkenness.— A man who had not been before the Court since 1889 waa fined 5s and coats.

Alleged Labokny ov Jewslleby.— Jane Williams and .Elizabeth May Williams were charged with having, On May 9, at Christohurch Railway Station, stolen a hand-bag containing £1 17 a 4d ia cash, an opal necklace, two opal rings, an opal brooch, a gold looket and ohain, a gold bangle and a diamond and sapphire brooch, of the total value of JBSO, the property of Mrs Oatway. Mr Byrne appeared for the acoused. On the application of Inspector Broham, the accused were remanded till Monday, June 17. Bail wa. allowed in one surety of *225 and £25 for each accuaed.

Alleged Wife Desertion.— John Hunt was charged with having unlawfully deserted his wife, Mary Hunt, on Sept. 14. Mr Widdowson appeared for the accused. Inspector Broham stated that the wife, who waß in Kaikoura, had sent word that she did not wish to press the charge. Tha case waa therefore withdrawn. — George Peck waa oharged with having unlawfully deserted hia wife, Annie Louisa Hopper Peck, on May 10, 1894. Inspector Broham conducted the prosecution, and Mr Byrne appeared for the accused. Mrs Peck deposed that she waa married to the accused in November, 1881, at Auckland. He went to Melbourne in November, 1888, returning about the end of 1889. About three woeka later he went back to Melbourne, and since then she had not seen him till last Tuesday in the Court. There were six children by the marriage. To Mr Byrne : Witneßß met Peck on board the sailing chip Rakaia, on which he waß a steward on the voyage out to New Zealand. About three weeks before their marriage he told her hia previous history, and Baid that he had a wife in England, but when he got home after one voyage, he found that she had run away with another man. Accused left Auckland because he could no. get work there. Detective Maraack deposed that when he arrested the accused, he admitted he waa the man wanted, but said the marriage was not legal, as he had a wife alive in England at the time. Accused had been married in Christchuroh in July laßt, and had one child by that marriage. He had been in Christchurch for two or three months previoua to that. In reply to the Benoh, Inspector Broham swd the proceedings were brought to procure an order for maintenance. The accused wbb called and said that he waa a car- : penter and builder by trade. When in work he earned £2 9a 61 a week. Mr Bishop : Have you ever given a thought to the unfortunate woman and tho aix children you left in Auckland? Accused: I've sometimes wondered how they were getting on. Mr Bishop : No doubt you have. Hia Worßhip aaid there waa Bimply the accused's own assertion that he had been married in England. As to the marriage with Mrs Peck in Auckland, he would bold that it waa legal, and the accußed was primarily responsible for the support of her and her six children. An order would be made for tho payment of £1 a week by accused.

Civil Case.— N. Betts v. J. Eayrea, claim £o, for alleged detention o. a number of articles of clothing. Defendant put ia a counter claim of J65 10a for board and lodging and the value of a brooch. This caae was concluded to-day. After hearing further evidence, his Worship eaid that Misa Betts had fully proved her claim to tbo goods, a.ud an order would be made for tbem to be returned, with £1 damages. ; On the counter claim, judgment was given i for Mrs Eay res for £3 10a.