MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 102, 28 September 1874, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Monday, September 28. [Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., R.M.] DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. Elizabeth Bennett for this offence, and who had been previously convicted eight times, was sentenced to fourteen days imprisonment with hard labor. Margaret Dempsy, an old offender, arrested for drunkenness, was fined 20s or forty-eight hours’ and severely cautioned not to appear before his Worship again- James Keane for being drunk and disorderly and using obscene language, was fined 20s or forty-eight hours’ and cautioned as this was his second offence. H. W. Mac Queen was arrested the previous night in High street for drunkenness, and insulting some young females. A witness stated that he was walking in High street the previous night with two females, and the accused tried to put his arm around them. He (witness) pushed him one side, and the accused made some noise with his mouth, and tried to go after them, when he gave him into custody. Fined 60s and expense of witness. Eliza Rudd for drunkenness was discharged with a caution. ASSAULT WITH INTENT. Thomas Mitchell was brought up on a charge of this nature. Mr Thomas appeared for the accused. Inspector Buckley told the Bench that he thought it would hardly be necessary to go on with the case, as the complainant made a different statement now to what she told the police on Saturday. Mr Thomas complained of his client having been arrested on such frivolous grounds. Inspector Buckley said that not only had the complainant spoken to Sergeant Wilson, but also some friends of her’s, who stated that the accused had thrown her down with a criminal intent, and they heard her scream for help. In justice to the police he would ask his Worship to hear Sergeant Wilson’s statement. Sergeant Wilson, in reply to his Worship, corroborated what had fallen from the Inspector. His Worship called, Emily Buckingham who stated that she was living with Mrs Sawle in Christchurch The accused did not assault her, but he tried to kiss her. She did not make any complaint but it was some friends of hers who did so. She did not think she was insulted, nor did she wish to go on with the case. When the accused tried to kiss her she struggled to get away, and tripped over his foot, and when she was falling she gave a slight scream. Case dismissed. ■WILFUL DESTRUCTION OF PRIVATE PROPERTY. Alice Moore was charged with wilfully destroying some some panes of glass and furniture in a house on the South Town Belt. Dr Foster watched the case on behalf of the complainant. Constable Davis stated that he took the accused iu charge for breaking two panes of glass and and a looking glass, the property of Mr Stocks. William Stocks stated that the accused came to his place on Saturday afternoon, and while standing in his yard he heard a smash, and he saw the accused running out of his front gate. When he went up to her, she said she had done nothing, but she intended to do something, and he then observed that she had a penknife open in her left hand. She made several rushes at him, and picked up some stones. She was very excited, and commenced throwing the stones at him, and threatened she would either do for him or his wife. She had broken a pane of glass and damaged a lot of furniture. Thomas Muston, clerk to the previous witness, had seen the accused on Saturday afternoon breaking some panes of glass in the front door with her umbrella. He then went and told Mr Stocks of this. His Worship asked Dr Foster whether the parties had not arranged on some settlement when the defendant was last before the Court.

Dr Foster entered into an explanation with reference to this, and reiterated the efforts he had made with the defendant to come to some arrangement. She, however, insisted either on receiving £loocash, or eight shillings a week for thirteen years, and as Mr Stocks had previously made a settlement, and this second offer was simply a gratuituous one on his part, he (Dr Foster) could not advise him to accept any such unreasonable terms. Defendant said she would not again molest Mr Stocks or his wife, if he would pay 8s a week for the support of his child. She would ask his Worship to adjourn the case, as Mr Joynt would have attended that day on her behalf, but he had sent word in to his office that he was unwell. His Worship told defendant that he must repeat what he had told her on the previous occasion, that she must keep the peace at all hazards, and he could accept no compromise for the purpose of inducing her to do so. As she desired that Mr Joynt should be present he would adjourn the case until Tuesday, and would admit her to bail in one substantial security of £25.

LYTTELTON. Saturday, September 26. [Before W. Donald, Esq,, R.M.] DRUNKENNESS.

Frederick Green, arrested by Constable McGorman, changed with the above offence was fined 10s,, or twenty-four hours imprisonment. FIGHTING IN PUBLIC STREETS,

Richard Hatch, arrested by Constable McGorman, was charged with the above offence. From the evidence of the constable

it appeared that the accused was arrested last night with his coat off fighting with a man named Meredith, who escaped. The accused admitted that he was fighting, but stated that he was a stranger in Lyttelton, and to the man with whom he was fighting. Being first assaulted he returned blows in self-defence. Case dismissed. LARCENY. George West and Charles Rickards, two seamen (Mr Nalder for prisoners), were brought up charged by detective Walker with the above offence. The detective stated that last evening it was reported to him after the fight above referred to. that two coats, the property of Richard Hatch, had been stolen, and he was also informed that the prisoner West was the man who stole the coats in company with Rickards. Richard Hatch stated that he did not accuse the prisoners of stealing the coats. He caficd out to West during the fight to look after his coat. He did not give any information to the police. Two witnesses were called and stated that they saw the defendant West pick up the coats and run away, afterwards returning without the coats, and when asked where the coats were he denied all knowledge of them. Mr Nalder addressed the Bench on behalf of the prisoners, and the Bench said that taking into consideration the evidence of the man Hatch they would dismiss the prisoners. CIVIL CASES. Sutherland v Davis ; claim £l7 14s, for wages as mate of John Knox. The Bench gave judgment in this case this morning for plaintiff, for full amount, with costs 29s ; solicitor’s fee £1 Is. ASHBURTON. [Before Alfred Saunders, J.P., and 11. T. Winter, Esqs, J.P.] BREACH OF PEACE. Thomas Brankiu was charged by Hugo Friedlander with attempt to provoke to a breach of the peace, on 7th September. Fined 10s, and costs 2Rs, including two days’ attendance of one witness. ASSAULT. Thomas Holmes, charged by John Campbell with assaulting him on August 7th, at South Rakaia. The Bench after hearing evidence reserved judgment until a cross action between same parties was heard. John Campbell was charged by Thomas Holmes with assault and battery on August 7th, at South Rakaia. The evidence in this case showed that the defendant was the aggressor, and that complainant had received severe injuries from defendant. The Bench dismissed the former information, and sentenced complainant in the latter case to one month’s imprisonment with hard labor, and to pay all costs, amounting to £4 4s fid, or in default one week’s imprisonment, to be computed from expiration of previous sentence of one month. oxford! Wednesday, September 23. [Before G. L. Hellish, Esq., R.M.J BREACH OP POLICE ORDINANCE. George Wright, John O’Connor, John Elvidge, and Richd. Wratt were each fined 10s and costs, or in default imprisonment with hard labor, for creating a disturbance and fighting in a licensed house. The fines were paid. CATTLE AT LARGE. Thos. Vincent, being the owner of one head of cattle, found at large on the public road, was fined 5s and costs 4s. CIVIL CASES. C. Scott v R Keats, claim £3 ; judgment for plaintiff by default. W. Zouch v R. Ashworth, claim £l2 6s 9d ; judgment by consent.