SUPREME COURT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1421, 5 January 1885, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

(Bv Telegraph.) Wellington, To day. The criminal sessions of the Supreme Court opened this morning. There was nothing special in the charge of the Chief Justice. He said that none of the cases were likely to present any difficulties.

The grand jury found true bills against Peter Hausen, larceny ; Perry and Me Kenna, false pretences ; Ingley and Lee, conspiracy to defraud ; Pekau Apurona, housebreaking; The latter case is proceeding.

o iiristoh gkcji , To-day,

The criminal sessions of the Supreme Court opened to-day. Mr Justice Johnston, in his charge to the Grand Jury, made reference to the death of Mr T. E. Duncan, late Crown Prosecutor, to whom he paid a high compliment for his services as officer to the Crown. His Honor then commented upon the calendar, remarking that there were twenty cases,'eleven of them of s serious character, but in looking through the depositions he saw nothing to show that the criminal classes are making serious progress here. He then alluded to the cases in detail. In the rape case medical evidence was given to show that the woman was in such a slate of health that she will be unable to appear for some time to give evidence. Ddnkdin, To-day.

Judge Williams’ charge was short, and merely referred to cases on calendar. Fowler, previously convicted, and whoso conviction had been sustained, was sentenced to five years’ penal servitude. The following prisoners, who pleaded guilty, here also sentenced : —Charles Patterson, robbery on board the steamer Tongariro, six months ; John Williams, robbery from dwelling, three years; Thomas Jerome, forgery, twelve months ; Daniel Maun, forgery, four years ; Ellon Barry, robbery from person, three years.