CHRISTCHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6128, 15 March 1898, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH.

Tuesday, March 15. (Before Mr E. Beetham, S.M.) Drunkenness. —An old man was convicted and discharged. — A first offender was fined ss, with the usual alternative. — John Healy was fined 10s, in default fortyeight hours' imprisonment. Alleged Theft. — Charles M'Lelland was charged, on remand, with having on March' 4 stolen a cheque value £3, the property of William Stutridge. The evidence showed that the two were coming to Christchurch after, being-'paid''off* and ' Stutridge gave accused the cheque to look after. Accused left him at the Christchurch railway station, ■ and \ Stutridge did not see him till next day, when he gave him in custody on a etiarge of stealing the cheque. Accused gave evidence, and said Stutridge had given him the cheque, asking him to pay his fare. In all he had given him back £2 5s of the value of the cheque, and had missed him at the railway Btation. There was no intention of stealing the cheque. Mr Beetham said it was only a case of detention, and dismissed the charge. —George Styles was charged with having on Jan. 31, at Christchurch, stolen cheques value .£145 6s lid and iBIOO respectively, the property of the Canterbury Farmers' Co-operative Association. Sergeant-major Ramsay applied for a remand for a week to collect evidence. Mr Weston, who appeared for the. accused, said he had no objection to a remand till Friday. He asked that bail should be allowed, and this was granted in one surety of .£4OO. —Eliza Burnley was charged with having stolen a spade, value 2s 6d, the property of Marion de Weston. The case was dismissed. Alleged Breach op the Bankruptcy Act.—Andrew Scott, a hairdresser and tobacconist, was charged that, being on Nov. 22, 1897, duly adjudged a bankrupt under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Act, 1892, he had within three years before the commencement of his bankruptcy failed to keep such books of account as are usual and proper in the business carried on by him, and as sufficiently set forth his business transactions and disclosed his financial position; and' further that his bankruptcy is attributable to rash and hazardous speculations and gambling, contrary to the form of the statute. Mr Stringer appeared for the Crown, and Mr Weston for the defendant. The evidence showed that the amount of his proved liabilities was about .£272, and the assets so far -were 499.8s Id.. There were outstanding assets - amounting to £80, which,may or may not, be-recoverSd. The account books did not set forth his business transactions nor his. financial position. He had lost large sums of money in his business and by betting, and had also borrowed 4146. He was committed for trial, bail being allowed in two sureties of 476 and one of 4150.