MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 272, 26 April 1875, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Monday, April 26. (Before G. L. Hellish, Esq., R.M.) Threatening a Wife.— Edward M‘Court was charged with using threatening language to his wife on the 20th instant. Complainant said that defendant had frequently threatened her and had turned her out of her doors. Defendant said that it was his wife’s tongue which drove him to it, he was willing to consent to a deed of separation. His Worship said that it was all through defendant’s accursed habit of drunkenness which was the bane of many men. Hitherto defendant had been supported by his wife, spending what he had earned himself. He (the Magistrate) would let the case stand over for two days in order to come to some terms with his wife for a separation. The case would be adjourned to the 29th inst. Drunkenness.— The following inebriates were dealt with Minnie Edwards alias Thompson, fined 10s and warned that if she appeared again she would be sent to prison; Ellen Boyle and Annie Hollingsworth, who were charge d with being drunk in the Domain on Saturday night with a man who had escaped, were discharged with a caution ; Robert Balfour, 5s ; Albert Edward Kilner, who was also charged with using obscene language, and who had been thrice previously convicted was fined 60s ; Thomas Marks, fined 10s; Thomas Sullivan, fined 5s ; Charles Trounce, fined 10s ; Henry Eeron, who was also charged with indecency, was fined 10s. Lunacy through Drink. —Robert Templeton, who had been remanded for medical treatment, was now brought up, and discharged with a caution. William Sharp Cooper, who had been charged with damaging a constable’s coat, and attempting to commit suicide, when lunatic from drink, and who had been remanded for medical treatment, was now bronght up and ordered to be discharged on payment of 10s 6d, damage done to the constable’s coat, LYTTELTON. Saturday, April 24. (Before W. Donald, Esq , Ii.M.J Stowaway. —lsaac Meyers was charged by the purser of the Alhambra with this offence, and was remanded MU Monday, to pay his passage money. Civil Casks. —Nalder v C. Murray, claim £7 3s sd, professional assistance ; judgment for plaintiff, with costs 13s. The Lyttelton Co-operative Society v T. G. Street, claim £1 J6s Id. for goods supplied ; judgment for plaintiff, with costs 14s. The same v Clark Warren, claim £1 Is, for goods supplied j judgment for plaintiff, with costs lls. KAIAPOI. Saturday, April 24. (Before C. Whitefoord, Esq, K.M.) Malicious Injury to Property Act.— Alfred Harris, on remand in custody charged with feloniously shooting two geese, value 16s, the property of E. A. Lock, pleaded “Not Guilty.” Prosecutor stated that on Thursday night, between the hours of nine and ten o’clock, he heard a gun fired on his section. He proceeded to the river side, and in the moonlight saw accused with a dog watching the ge se. He fired at and killed one, when prosecutor went to him and attempted to secure him, but after a tussle accused made his escape, and prosecutor followed him to his house in Rotten row. Constable Haldane said, at the request of

last witness, on the night referred to, he proceeded to accused’s house. The lights were out, he knocked and waited some time. Accused’s wife came to the door fully dressed, and afterwards accused in his shirt and long stockings, the latter tied with garters. The constable asked if he had a gun, and was informed it was outside, but had not been used for a length of time. On examining the weapon he found it had recently been discharged. Inspector Barsham stated by virtue of a search warrant, he obtained a velvet coat, produced, which accused was wearing on the Thursday night. He- had also traced the accused’s boot prints on the ground from Lock’s section towards accused’s home. Prosecutor desired that accused, having a wife and family, should be leniently dealt with. The Magistrate said, in consideration of this being the first offence known against accused, and the prosecutor not desiring to press the case, the sentence would be lighter than it otherwise would have been. (Sentenced to fourteen days’ imprisonment, with hard labor.