CHRISTCHURCH CRIMINAL SESSIONS.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 181, 12 April 1878, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH CRIMINAL SESSIONS.

The criminal sessions of the Supreme Court were brought to a conclusion on Thursday, 4th inst.

J. J. Riordan, charged with stealing a gold iing and some money the property of John Jones, his brother-in-law, was acquitted and discharged. John Simmonds was charged with forging and uttering a cheque for £39 at Little River. The evidence for the prosecution was identical with that given before the Resident Magistrate, Akaroa. and already reported in our columns. For the defence Mr J. 0. Jones, of the Union Bank, was called, who deposed that the document in question was. only a cheque for £3, and that the Bank w;ould give no more for it. Mr Joynt submitted that the cheque was not altered in any material rebpeet; that it did not require any new operation by reason of the alteration, and was still, in fact, an order for payment of £3 at the most. His Honor having summed up, put the following question to be replied to by the jury in case they should find the prisoner guilty :

—" Has the cheque, as altered r such a resemblance to a cheque for £39 as to be likely to deceive any ordinary person ?" The jury retired, and on their return into Court found the prisoner guilty on the third and fourth counts, and in reply to the question answered " No." His Honor, at the request or Mr Joynt, said that he would reserve the answer and point raised for the Court of Appeal.

A J. Tudball was charged with having forged a bill of exchange for £200. A witness named James Morris, formerly a clerk to the prisoner, was called for the defence, and deposed that it was he, and not the prisoner, who committed the forgery. The jury, however, convicted the prisoner, and His Honor sentenced him to four years' penal servitude, saying that he believed the forgery was a swindle concocted between Morris and the prisoner. The following sentences were passed : — Robert Macfarlane, Junr., (forgery and uttering, three indictments). The lad's father begged for mercy for his son, saying that he had been led away by bad company. Mr Hancock said that the prisoner was an inoffensive young man, but had had his own way too much. His Honor said that in consideration of prisoner's extreme youth and previous good character, he would pass a light sentence; viz., six months' imprisonment with hard labour on each indictment, the sentences tj run concurrently.

Henry Richardson (forgery, two cases), nine months' imprisonment with hard labour on each case, the sentences to run concurrently.

James Mills, alias Charles Ellis, alias John' Jackson (forgery, two cases), sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment with hard labour on each case, the sentences to run concurrently.

Charles Smith (larceny), six months' imprisonment with hard labour. Charles M'GundJyjall (indecent assault near Tempi eton). His Honor said that on considering the whole circumstances he felt justified in carrying the recommendation of the jury into effect; at the same time he felt compelled to pass such a sentence as would mark his sense of the detestable nature of the crime. Two years' imprisonment with hard labour.

George Stevens (larceny from a store), twelve 'months , imprisonment with hard labour.

William Phillips (larceny of money), sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment with hard labour.