CHRISTCHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5803, 22 February 1897, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH.

Monday, Feb. 22. (Beforo Mr W. H. Hargreaves, J.P., and

Mr J. Hamilton, J.P.)

Drunkenness. — Patrick Falls Avas fined us and costs, Avith the usual alternative of imprisonment. Another man, a first offender Avithin the meaning of the Act, Avas convicted and discharged and handed OA r er to the care of the Salvation Army.

Alleged False Pretences. — Catherine Short was charged with having, on Now 13, Nov. 20 and Nov. 27, 1896, by means of false pretences, obtained orders for rations to the total value of 13s 6d from the Charitable Aid Board. Mr Donnelly appeared for the accused. Chief-Detective Henderson called Thomas C. Norris, Secretary to the Board, who stated that the woman had received relief for a considerable period under the name of Kate Manning on account of three illegitimate children. It had been ascertained that early last year she had been married. On the three dates mentioned she had obtiiined rations under the name of Kate Manning. In reply to Mr Donnelly, the witness stated that relief was given to married women, but it was done through their husbands. Julia Carpenter, the Board's Inspector, stated that she had twice asked the accused, the second time about a month ago, whether she was married, but she denied it. Detective Marsack produced a vopy of the certificate of the marriage on Feb. 12, 1896, of John Short and Catherine Short. He said the woman had admitted that she was married. Mr Donnelly called the accused, who stated that about three years ago she commenced receiving 4s 6d a week from the Charitable Aid Board for the support of three illegitimate children. She had never received anything from the father of the children. About a year ago she was married, but she did not think it made any difference with regard to her receiving aid. She had not .been told by any of the Board's officers that she would not receive relief as she was married. She did not think she was doing wrong. In reply to the Bench, Mr Norris said the Charitable Aid Board had brought this case more as a deterrent than 'with a wish to have the woman punished. The Bench convicted and discharged the accused.

Assaults. — Edwaul Chamberlain was charged with having, on Jan. 30, at St Albans, assaulted Margaret Parks. Mr Cresswell appeared for the informant, and Mr Andrews for the accused. The evidence for the prosecution was that on the date mentioned Mrs Parks went and asked the accused for a rasp which he had borrowed. He told her to go away from his place, and followed her down the road and struck her a blow on the face. The accused's statement was that when Mrs Parks asked him for the rasp lie told her he had returned it. She called him a liar and spat in his face. He told her to go away, and as she did not he pushed her out. The accused was fined 40s and costs, half the amount of the fine to go to the informant, in default fourteen days' imprisonment. — John Condon was charged with having, on Feb. 10, assaulted John M'Grath, who prayed that accused might be bound over to keep the peace. Mr Donnelly appeared for the informant, and Mr Kippenberger for the accused. It appeared, from the evidence for the prosecution, that the accused had met M'Grath at another person's house, and had struck him on the side of the head, and then on the mouth, knocking out two teeth. The accused, in defence, said that he had been provoked by M'Grath's conduct, and admitted striking him once. The accused was fined 20s and costs. (Before MrH. W. Bishop, S.M.) Civil Cases.— Judgment was given for the plaintiffs by default, with costs, in the following cases : — J. Streeter v. J. Beatty, ,£4 14s 6d; V. and M. Harris v. Mrs C. Behrens, .£B4 4s 9d ; G. A. Lindemann v. G. Bevins, £5 9s 2d.— W. H. Travis v. J. E. Hartle, claim .£4 9s 6d, on judgment summons. Mr Hunt appeared for the judgment creditor. — A. Candy v. J. E. Hartle, claim d£l3 10s, on judgment summons. Mr Bruges appeared for the judgment creditor. In neither case wa's the ability of the debtor to pay proved, and no order was made. The debtor stated that from 1895 up to Dec. 31, 1596, he had received under the will, of the late Hyman Marks a legacy at the rate of dBISO por annum, and had also been employed as agent to the estate at .£IOO per annum, Since the end of last year he had not been employed by the trustees, and they had transferred his legacy to. his wife, as they were empowered by the will to do. — Johnston v. Vile, claim .£1 19s for wages. Mr Johnston appeared for the defendant. The claim was not proved, and the plaintiff was nonsuited. — G. A. Lindemann v. Mrs G. Butler, claim .£8 19s 3d for goods supplied. Mr Johnston appeared for the plaintiff and Mr Beattie for the defendant. The latter stated that she was a married woman, and the goods had been supplied on the credit of her husband. Judgment was given for the defendant without costs. — G. A.[ Lindemann v. M. M'Myley, claim ,£8 193 for goods supplied. Mr Johnston for the plaintiff, and Mr Deacon for the defendant. This case was adjourned till March 22.— G. A. Lindemann v. Mrs J. Patterson, claim £4 2s 3d for goods supplied. Mr Johnston .appeared for the plaintiff. Judgment for plaintiff for .£5 (3s Gd with costs.