MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 452, 25 November 1875, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH.

Thursday, November 25. (Before G. L. Hellish, Esq, R.M.)

Assaulting the Police, —Jas. Hunter was charged with assaulting Constable Stevenson in the execution of his duty. Mr Thomas appeared for defendant. According to the constable’s statement, the defendant, who is a cab-driver, had his cab last night in front of Burmeister’s supper room unattended. On being asked by the constable for his name and address, he refused to give them, upon which the constable took him into custody. Defendant thereupon pulled the constable’s whiskers, threw him down, and tried to gouge him. Upon cross ex amination, the constable stated that defendant gave him the number of his cab, bu( refused to give his name, and then it was he took defendant into custody. When there was a probability of another constable coming to witness’s assistance, defendant offered to drive him to the depot, which witness refused. Ultimately, another cabman came and drove them both to the depot. There was a row of cabs io front of

Burmeister’s. For the defence a witness named Thomas Wheeler was called, who said that he was a cabman, and that, tha constable had threatened to lock him np if he did not take a fare a« ay. Hunter did not scuffle with the constable until he was taken into custody. Hunter said he would go to the depot with the constable. Hunter was in attendance on his cab, but not in close attendance. By Inspector—Would swear Hunter did not strike the constable ; did not know whether Hunter gave constable the eye he had now. Another cabman named John Milier said he would swear that Hunter never struck the constable. Hunter was asked for his name ; he gave his number, but refused to give his name. Hunter in the struggle might have injured the constable’s eye. Anothercabman named Walter Cook gave similar testimony, Michael Hamilton stated that Hunter was not a quarrelsome man. Did not see the commencement of the affair, Mr Thomas addressed the Bench, and contended that the whole affair was brought about by the constable arresting defendant without telling him the charge against him. Hunter was perfectly justified in resisting the constable. His Worship said that the whole matter arose out of defendant’s obstinacy in refusing to give his name. The constable was perfectly justified in acting as he did in detaining the defendant when he refused to give his name. Defendant would be fined 20s. Drunk and Illegally on Premises, Isaac Wilson vas charged with being drunk and illegally in the stable of Messrs Millett and Saunders at four o’clock this morning. Fined 10s,

Lunacy prom Drink. George Wells, who had been remanded for medical treatment, was now brought up and discharged with a caution.

Violent Assault.—Daniel Pasche, who had been remanded on a charge of assaulting his wife, now appeared, and at the request of Mrs Pasche the case was dismissed.

Larceny.—Michael Gerschopege, a German, was charged with stealing a pair of boots, the property of Thomas Yates, of Colombo street. As the prisoner could not speak English, Mr L. Schmid acted as interpreter. The prisoner was seen to take the boots from Mr Yates’ shop by Mr S. Cohen, pawnbroker, who told Mr Yates. The prisoner was pursued, and the boots taken from him. The prisoner, in his defence, said that he was drunk, and did not know what he did. The Bench sentenced the prisoner to one mouth’s imprisonment with hard labour. Horses and Cattle at Large.—The following cases were dealt with Edward Taylor, fined 5s ; Henry Knight, 6s ; John Garland, 5s ; Thomas Williams, 6s ; George Wilraer, 5s ; William Bimmons, 5s ; James Gatherer, 5s ; George Marshall, 5s ; John Gough, 5s ; John Tobeck, 6s ; Isaac Champion, 5s ; Bobert Beattie, ss. Driving Btock in Prohibited Hours. —William Hulton, for driving sheep in prohibited hours in Montreal street, was fined 10s. Martin Gattameyer was charged with driving ten pigs during prohibited hours in Oxford terrace. The case was adjourned for a week for the attendance of the owner of the pigs. Keeping a House of 111-Fame.—Eli-zabeth Bowen was charged with keeping a house of ill-fame in; Peterborough street. Sergeant Wilson proved that he visited the house on the 6th November ; the defendant is the mistress, and there were prostitutes and others there. The defendant was fined £5.

111-Tre vting a Horse.—J. H. Evans, a cabman, was charged with harassing and illtreating a horse, by beating it on the head with a stick. The Bench fined defendant 10s, and 5s expenses of one witness.

Excess of Passengers.—Abraham Denton, a cabman, was fined 10s for carrying three passengers in his cab. W. Edwards and Frank Vale were fined 10s each for a similar offence. Absent from his Cab.—Walter Cook was fined 20s on two charges.

Threatening and Abusive Language, —Thomas Scroggins was charged with using threatening and abusive language to constable Reeve. The defendant said that the constable had insulted him first. The Bench fined defendant 40s. Obstructing the Railway Station.— Walter Cook was charged with obstructing the thoroughfare at the Christchurch Railway Station on the 4th November. The Bench fined defendant 10s. Dogs in Haglby Park. Nathaniel Suckling was charged with allowing a dog to follow him in Hagley Park, the same not being led. Defendant said that there was no notice at the entrance. The case was dismissed. Obscene Language.— Frederick Palmer was charged with using obscene language on the racecourse to aMr Shepherd. Defendant admitted that he had used bad language, but he was provoked at finding Mr Shepherd in his cab with two prostitutes. The Bench fined defendant 10s, Horse and Cows on Footpath.— John Garland was charged with this offence. De: fendant denied that the horse belonged to him, and the case was dismissed. Riding on Footpath.— A. C. Knight was fined 10s, and George McGee on a similar charge, was fined 10s. Selling Liquor without a License. —A case against Charles Truckle, landlord of the Albion Hotel, for selling liquor on the racecourse without a license, was dismissed. Threatening Language, A case against P. Paterson for using threatening language to H. Todd was admitted, and defendant was fined 10s, and three witnesses 6s each.

Abusive Language.— Mary Shaw was charged with using abusive language toward* J. Firth, Mr Thomas appeared in support of the information. A dispute arose between the parties respecting rent alleged to be due from complainant to defendant, and the language complained of was that defendant called complainant “ a thief,” The Bench fined defendant 10s and Court costs.