MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 220, 22 February 1875, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Monday, February 22. [Before G. L. Hellish, Esq., R.M.] wipe desertion. Matthew Lbngdon was brought up from Lyttelton, on remand, charged with this offence, Sarah Longdon stated that the prisoner was her husband, and that he had deserted her about three months ago, and that he had only sent her £1 during that time. The prisoner said he had now got a contract, and that he was willing to take his wife down to Pigeon Bay, where he was working. He was also -willing to pay for anything she had had to support her during his absence. His Worship said, under these circumstances, he would discharge the prisoner; but that he must not go away and leave his wife for three months without communicating with her or providing for her support during his absence. DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. Robert Smith, charged with this offence, and who had been admitted to bail, failed to appear when called on. Nicholas Kearney, for a similar offence, was fined 10s. Wm. Calder, an old offender, was fined 60s. DRUNK AND USING OBSCENE LANGUAGE, John Baker, who had been taken into custody for this offence, was fined 60s, DRUNK ON THE RAILWAY. Alexander Wilson, who had been found lying on the railway line in a state of intoxication, was fined 20s. Robert Smith, arrested for drunkenness, and who had been admitted to bail, appeared in court intoxicated, and was remanded until to-morrow. ATTEMPT TO COMMIT SUICIDE. Donald M'Leod was brought up on remand charged with attempting to commit suicide by cutting his throat with a penknife while in a state of delirium tremens. Mr Reston, chief gaoler, told the bench that the accused was now quite recovered from the effects of drink. Deceased promised to join the Good Templars if discharged, and his Worship gave him an opportunity to do so. DRUNK AND INDECENT EXPOSURE. James Smith was charged on remand with this offence and fined 20s. LARCENY. William Ryan was charged on remand with the larceny of a ring. William Simmonds, landlord of the Warwick Hotel, stated—Remembered a man named McLean complaining to him of the loss of two rings and three or four notes at the sandhills. Afterwards saw the prisoner at his house. The prisoner afterwards offered him the ring produced for sale, and said he had another one. On the 13th inst, prisoner was at his house with McLean. Told McLean in the prisoner’s presence that he (prisoner) had offered him a ring for sale. Prisoner at first denied having done so, and afterwards admitted that he had offered a ring which he had found when sweeping out the floor. The prisoner said he would go and get the ring or rings if McLean would let him off. John McLean stated that he wasalabourer. About the 10th of the month he remembered going to a house at the Sandhills. He had at the time two rings in his possession, and was wearing one, the other being in his waistcoat pocket. He also had two or three single notes and a £5 note. He went to sleep in the house, and when he woke up he missed the single notes and the two rings. Remembered the prisoner being in the house when *he went there. He spoke about his loss in the house. Next saw the ring when prisoner gave it to him. He (witness) had previous to this spoke to Mr Simmonds about the loss of his rings and money. The ring produced was his property, and the one he was wearing on his finger. It fitted his finger very tightly and could not have dropped off. Had had the ring in his possession for about thirteen years. Was certain he did not give it to the prisoner or to any one else. By Prisoner—l was not fighting in the house. Two men followed me over but I did not fight them. To the Bench—The ring is valued at about £2. Henry A. Davis, licensed pawnbroker in Cashel street, remembered the prisoner coming to his shop on the 11th instant and pledging the ring produced. He said when pawing it that it belonged to himself. The prisoner redeemed it on the 13th. Sigismund Cohen, pawnbroker, Colombo street, remembered the prisoner and the witness McLean coming to his shop on a Saturday night, and he (prisoner) said that tho ring he had pledged that morning belonged to McLean. He then gave it up to the man McLean. It was the prisoner who pawned it in the morning. The prisoner said he did not steal the ring, but had picked it up on the floor. He admitted having offered it for sale. The prosecutor had made him drunk on board the steamer Bruce, where he had been at work, and but for him he would not have been in Christchurch. Detective Feast told the Bench that since prisoner had been on shore he had been seen continually hanging about drunken men. There had been a number of petty robberies complained of lately. Sentenced to two months’ imprisonment with hard labor.