SUPREME COURT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1958, 1 October 1888, Page 3

SUPREME COURT

[Pflß Press Association.] Wellington, October 1. The quariely sessions of the Supreme Ooact opened this morning before Sir J Prendergast, Chief Justice. la his chavge to the grand jury His Honor said that whilst the list was longer than had been nsnil lately the majority of the cases were of the eimploEt character, generally of a kind m whloh foolish tradesmen took valueless cheques. There was, however, one case of unusual character m which a person waa oharged with marrying the widow of a deceased brother, the caremooy being performed by a registrar, after declaration by accused that he believad there waa no lawful impediment to marriage. la England and Id this oolony the faot that one of the contracting parties wbb the widow of a brother of the other contracting party waß a lawful impediment, but the point to be discovered by the jary naa whether acetified believed thero was such impediment. Ohristchorch, October 1. The criminal sittings opened to-day before Mr Justice Ward who congratulated the Grand Jary that the calendar was not heavter thin aaaal. Charles Fowler for larcouy of a watch was found guilty and sentenced to three years penal servitude. George Curie pleaded guilty to stealing six bead of cattle the property of one Wilson. He was aenteooed to two yeara' probation.