SUPREME COURT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2164, 4 July 1889, Page 2

SUPREME COURT

— — +—. — . ■ V' ■ (PBB PRBSS ASSOCIATION.) ' ' Ohbistohokoh, July 1. John Hampton was indicted for that on Mtfc June, then being the bailee of certain mopet* the.prooerty of one R. Hunter, he fraudently and feloniously converted the same to his own use. The prisoner, who was undefended, pleaded « Not Guilty." ■• The casejforfte pK« secution was that the prisoner and the proee« cutor went into a draper's shop m Ashburtoa on the day mentioned, when the prosecutor had a cheque for ,£22 odd m his possession. The prosecutor was drunk, and the prisoner was taking care of the money. In the draper's shop part of the change fgiven was a cheque for £11 138. Subsequently the prisoner cashed the cheque at the Someiset Hotel. He was then arrested, Mr Martin called vn> dence, and Hampton addressed the jury, stat. ing that he had changed the cheque, but had handed the money to the prosecutor, who was too drunk to remember* His Honor summed up, and the jury, after a short retirement, returned a verdict of "Not guilty," and the prisoner was discharged. In the case of Luke Perham Mr Stringer moved for the quashing of the indictment ootqs ground that the prisoner had been committed for burglary, whereas he had been .indicted for, and the Grand Jury had brought m a true bill, on the offence, of indecent assault. His Honor quashed the indictment. John Daly, charged with sheep steaiink' rie4r Amberley, wax found not gtulty, Wellington,, July 3 Allendalewas found guilty, of stealings the sa f e from the Fielding Pott Office. His Honor took occasion to remark oh the imperfect state of the law. The prisoner could only be in* dieted for breaking into a countmghouie t There was no mention m the Act of such M) establishment as a post office.' 1 This was absurd. and required alteration;-. He sentenced Allan* dsJe to 10 years* penal servitude. . ,