MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 246, 24 March 1875, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday, March 24. [Before G. L. Hellish, Esq., R.M.] DRUNK AND INDECENT EXPOSURE. James Watt, charged with being drunk and committing an act of exposure in a public thoroughfare, was fined 10s. DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. Owen MacG-uire, William Kessell. and James Rowden, were each fined 5s for drunkenness. LYTTELTON. Tuesday, March 23. [Before W. Donald, Esq , R.M.J FIGHTING IN THE PUBLIC STREET. David Bowen and James Stewart were charged with committing a breach of the peace on Norwich Quay, on Saturday night last. The evidence of two witnesses was taken, and the accused were each fined 10s and costs. BREACH OF PUBLIC HOUSE ORDINANCE. This was an adjourned case for judgment from Tuesday last for gambling in the Railway Hotel. The Bench stated that from enquiries made he was satisfied there had been gambling for considerable sums, and that the landlord was cognisant of the same; he would therefore be fined £5 and costs. BREACH OF PRISONERS’ ACT. William Paul Tubbs was charged by Warder Worgan with speaking to prisoners, and refusing to move on when ordered. Fined 40s, or two days’ hard labour. Prisoner was locked up in default. RANGIORA. Tuesday, March 23. (Before C. Whitefoord, Esq, R.M., and A, H. Cunningham, Esq). CATTLE TRESPASS. Mrs Torlesse and J. Stalker, for allowing cattle to wander at large, were each fined 5s and costs 6s 6d. PUBLIC-HOUSE ORDINANCE. F. Innes, licensee of the Club Hotel, was charged that on the 18th he allowed liquor to be supplied to G. Fennell and W. Prew during prohibited hours—viz, between 11 p.m. on Thursday and 6 a.m. on Friday. Mounted-Sergeant Wallace said he went to the Club to look for Constable Prew, when he saw Prew, Fennell, and another in a back parlor after 12 p.m., with two bottles, one of which appeared to be brandy, on the table. When he knocked at the door, Mullin (the man in charge of the hotel) kept him waiting some time at the front door before allowing him to enter the house. Meanwhile, the parties inside went out by back and side doors. Constable Prew called, stated he was at the hotel at 12 30 to see the house was clear, and that a tipsy man, who came in by the midnight train, had gone home instead of going to sleep in the back premises. He went into the hotel to inquire if the man was inside, and Fennell, who had been trying to get the man home, went with him. Being satisfied the person alluded to was not at the hotel he was going out when Mullin asked him to have a glass of whisky, and each had a glass. No money was tendered or intended to be paid for it. G. Fennell gave similar evidence. H. Mullin, called by accused, said he had to keep his parlor open for persons who were going by the late train. On the night in question, the visitors had just gone by the train when the constable, Fennell, and another came to the hotel to ask after a man who had arrived by the train. There was a bottle of whisky on the table, and he asked them to have a drink that cold night. Each had a drink and went out. Some one as they were leaving knocked at the front door, which knock he at once attended to, and admitted Sergeant Wallace. By the Sergeant—Did say Prew had not been there. The Bench said although the licensee was not aware of this offence, he was held responsible, but as it was not a serious case, though the Ordinance had been infringed, it would give accused the benefit of the doubt, and dismiss the charge, but the sergeant ought to report the matter in reference to the constable. RAILWAY ACT. 0. Ff. Pemberton was charged with driving an American waggon and pair of horses across the Oxford line railway crossing near the Club Hotel when an approaching train was in sight on March 2nd. Mr Clark appeared for accused. Evidence was given by the driver, stoker, and guard of the train that Pemberton was within forty yards of the train when he arrived at the crossing. They put on the brakes, and drew up the train within nine feet off the end of Pemberton’s vehicle as it got over the line. The railway porter when acting as pointsman said he heard the engine whistle blown at the usual place. He was forty yards further away from it than Pemberton, and called to him to stop. Accused called bis son, who, however, admitted that his father and himself were not paying attention when the train was approaching, and did not hear the whistle. The Bench remarked the offence was proved. Under the regulations accused was liable to a penalty of £5, and under the Railway Act £SO. He was fined 20s and costs, E. Murfit was charged with a similar offence in crossing a dray and pair of horses at the same crossing. The offence was proved, and accused fined 20s and costs. ASSAULT AND THREATENING LANGUAGE. George Martin was charged by Samuel Wilson with having assaulted him at the Club Hotel billiard-room on the 15th. Mr Clark appeared for Wilson, Evidence was given proving the offence by H. Lee, H. Mullin, M. Mullin, and R. Lewis. Accused was fined 40s and costs, with professional fee and witnesses’ expenses. The same accused was charged with using threatening language towards Wilson, and fined 20s and costs. SLAUGHTER HOUSE ORDINANCE. Licenses were granted to W. Harrison, Fernside, and R, Kennedy, Ashley Downs.

LICENSING ACT. An application was made to transfer the license of the Club Hotel from F. Innes to H.Mullin. Mr Joynt applied for an adjournment to allow Mullin to give the proper notice. The Bench granted the adjournment till next Court day, reminding the applicant to produce a certificate signed by ten householders in accordance with the Act.