CHRISTCHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6074, 11 January 1898, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH.

Tuesday, Jan. 11. (Before Mr R. Beetham, S.M.) Drunkenness. — Three first, offenders were fined 5s and costs, or in default twenty-four hours' imprisonment.—Alexander Martin was charged with having been drunk and damaging Government property. He was fined 10s or forty-eight hours' imprisonment for the drunkenness, and sentenced to a month's imprisonment. Failing to Provide.—Philip Robinson was charged with failing to provide for the maintenance of his illegitimate child. An order was made binding him to provide for the child's maintenance. Alleged Bigamy. —Margaret R. Ryder was charged with this offence. Sergeant Rutledge stated that he arrested accused on December 5, and she then said that as she had been away from her husband for five years she thought she had a right to get married again. Witness produced the two marriage certificates. James Donaldson stated that he was present at Dunedin when accused was married to Ryder. Eleanor Wilson also witnessed the marriage, and said that accused's husband ill-used her. Other witnesses were examined, and the accused was committed for trial, bail being allowed in a nominal sum, the Salvation Army undertaking to receive her into the Home in the meantime. Breach op the Lotteries Act. —J. C. Cusack, J. W. Cragg, F. W. Dunnage, R. M'Millan and A. L. Smith were charged with having committed a breach of the Gaming and Lotteries- Act, 1881, by holding a lottery in which articles other than those specified iv the Act were disposed of by art union; for the purpose of raising money. Mr Kippenberger and Mr Harris appearedforthe defendants, and Mr Stringer for the Crown. Attention was drawn to the fact that these art unions had been going on for about ten years without hindrance. The Bench convicted the defendants, and ordered them to pay costs, which amounted to three guineas each.