MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16320, 8 January 1921, Page 9

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

TO-DAY’S CASES.

CHRISTCHURCH. Mr S. E. M’Carthy, S.M., presided at to-day’s sitting of the Magistrate’s Court. DRUNKENNESS. A first offender for drunkenness was fined os, in default twenty-four hours’ imprisonment. Arthur O’Connor, alias Murphy, who had been found helplessly drunk in Kaiapoi and remanded for medical treatment, asked that he should be committed to an inebriates’ home. It was stated that defendant was suffering from shell-shock and was anxious to" bo sent to a Lome where he could break himself of his drinking habits. Defendant was committed to Rote Roa for twelve months, and ordered to pay 17s 6d medical expenses incurred through his drunkenness. PROHIBITED. On a charge of having been drunk while in charge of a horse at Papanui, Alexander Macdonald, an elderly man, was fined £2, in default seven days’ imprisonment. He was also prohibited for twelve months, at his own request. A DRUNKEN DRIVER. John Fleming, who appeared in the dock, in an extremely battered condition, 1 ‘ did not know how to plead ” to a charge of being drunk while in charge of a horse and cart at New Brighton. He was fined £2 and costs, amounting to £2 7s, in default fourteen days’ imprisonment. FIGHT OVER TWO GIRLS'. Alfred Collins Bateman, a young man, pleaded not guilty to a charge of unlawfully assaulting George Taylor oil January 7. The complainant, residing at 198, Antigua Street, stated that at about 8.30 p.m. yesterday he was talking to two girls in Lichfield Street. Accused tried to entice the two girls over to him, hut they refused to go. After the girls sieft witness, accused accosted witness and an altercation ensued. Accused struck witness in the right eye, necessitating a stitch being put in it. After hearing evidence at considerable length the Magistrate fined the accused £5 and ordered him to pay expenses, in default on© month’s imprisonment, half the fin© to go to the complainant.