MAGISTERIAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6168, 2 May 1898, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

CHRISTCHURCH. Monday, May 2. (lief ore Mr W. Prudhoe, J.P., and Mr W Pratt, J.P.) Drunkenness. — A first offender (female) was fined 5s and cost. Alleged Theft. — Daniel Spence, alias George Grant, who was charged with having, on April 29, stolen a saddle of the value of .£4, the property of Herbert Harris, and a coat valued at 15s, the property of Edward Wheeler, was remanded until Friday. Alleged Assault and Bobbery. — The hearing of a charge against James Wright and John Warren, of having, on April 30, in Tattersall's right-of-way, assaulted and robbed Charles TJdall, was adjourned until Friday. Bail was allowed accused in .£IOO each, and two sureties each in .£260. Alleged Theft. — Henry Cook, on remand, was charged with having, between Nov. 8 and, 22, 1897, stolen a white metal clock valued at 8s 6d, the property of Emilia Cook. Mr Cresswell appeared for the accused. From the evidence it appeared that the stepfather and step-mother of accused had been taken to Lyttelton gaol, leaving their furniture behind. . The furniture was left in the charge of an uncle, and the accused pawned the clock in order to obtain the necessary money for his uncle and himself to visit their relatives at Lyttelton. Mrs Emilia Cook said she did not wish to prosecute. The Bench dismissed the case. Illegally on Premises. — James Candlish, found by night without lawful excuse on the premises of H. S. Shaw, Bath Street, was sentenced to fourteen days' imprisonment, with hard labour. — Frederick Manhire, found by night without lawful excuse on the premises of Mary Shave, Armagh Street, was sentenced to fourteen days' imprisonment, with hard labour. Mr Hunt appeared for the accused. Obstructing a Railway Line. — Thomas Patrick Toorisb, on remand, for whom Mr Donnelly appeared, was charged with having placed an obstruction on the railway line, at Addington, on April 24. W. H. Brinden, railway guard, deposed to the cowcatcher of the engine having encountered an obstacle on the line. Witness and the engine-driver went back along the line, and found the lump of rock produced. The guard and driver of the 2 a.m. special train from Christchurch to Islington gave evidence of the train striking some obstruction near Addington. Upon examination, the obstruction proved to have been a large piece of rock, which was produced as an exhibit in the case. William Rowe deposed that he saw the accused and ancther boy on the railway line. Joseph Walker stated that the boy with the accused was his brother. Ernest Walker stated that Toorish put the stone on the line. Detective Fitzgerald deposed to the arrest of accused, who denied having been near the place or being connected with the affair, and declined to Bay if he had or had not seen the stone before. Mr Donnelly submitted that the only evidence against accused was that of Ernest Walker, who could not be considered a reliable witness. Evidence was called for the defence after the adjournment. Elizabeth O'Callaghan, daughter of Mr O'Callaghan, park-keeper, deposed to seeing accused and Ernest Walker on the line near the Show Grounds between 2 and 4 p.m. She did not see a rock put on the line during that time, and one could not then have been put on without her seeing it. She and her companions and the boys left the line together. Maggie Toorish corroborated the evidence of the last witness. The accused gave similar evidence. He denied putting the stone on the line, or that he ever saw it put there. The Bench came to the conclusion that the prosecution had failed to satisfactorily prove its case, and accused would be dismissed. ~ "

The longest reach of railway without a curve is claimed by travellers to be that of the Argentine Pacific Railway, from Buenos Ayres to the foot of the Andes. For 211 miles it is without a curve, and has no cutting or embankment deeper than two or three feet. '