SUPREME COURT.- Criminal sittings.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 133, 13 June 1870, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.- Criminal sittings.

■BffONJDAY, JUNE 13. (Before His Honitw Sir (Gh A. Arney, Knight, Chief Justice.) His Honor, took his seat on the Bench at ten o'clock. '■:"'"; . ' .. .„.» V'; - ■,-. ■ IFINES. James Maginnis, a juror, was fined £2 fotf nob-attendance. ; •.,,'. ..- .:•' EXEMPTION;' y John Alexander Beal, being called to serve on the petty jury, claimed exemption on the ground that he was articled to a solicitor. His .Honor said that the Act only exempted solicitors and barristers " actually practising," so that even if Mr. Beale were admitted a solicitor, he would not be exempt unless actually practising in the Court. There was, no doubb, an inconvenience attending the service of persons in the position of Mr. Beale, who might be articled clerk perhaps to an attorney or barrister actually engaged for a prisoner. Perhaps the Crown Prosecutor would say whether he knew of any ground upon which Mr. Beale would be exempt ? Mr. Brookfield said he had suggested to Mr. Beale to ask the que3tion. His Honor: Is Mr. Beale actually in attendance upon any solicitor or barrister practising in the Court ? Mr. Beale : "So, your Honor. His Honor: Then, Mr. Beale, lam afraid I cannot hold you exempt. XAECENY. Alfred Boonstra was arraigned upon an. indictment charging him with stealing a gold brooch, one gold signet ring, three ladies' gold rings, one " bright gold" ring, one silver watch, three pairs of gold earrings, oftbe total value of £14; the property of Mr. Kohn, jeweller, in Queen-street. Mr. Brookfield prosecuted on behalf of the Crown ; Mr. Eees defended the prisoner. Henry Eohn deposed: I am a jeweller, carrying on business in Queen-street, Auckland. In December last I had a branch establishment at Grahamstown. On the 24th of December I sent three ladies' gold rings, one colonial gold brooch, one colonial gold shield ring, a siver hunting watch, and other jewellery to the Thames. (Articles produced and identified.) They were in a white paper box. The box was sealed, not tied. It was addressed to "S. Kohn, Theatre Royal Buildings, Grahamstown." I gave it to my boy to give to Mr. Hayles, the steward of the Royal Alfred. I sent a letter at the same time.

Cross-examined by Mr. Eees : The box was wrapped in paper, but I do not recollect the colour of the paper. The box produced is similar. About a week after sending the parcel I went to the Police Office to give information that the property was stolen. I afterwards saw the goods in the* Police Station. They had been taken from th« prisoner. Benjamin Chas. Hayles, steward of the p.s. Eoyal Alfred said the prosecutor's boy brought a small parcel, and asked witness to be " particular with it." It was addressed a3 described by the last witness. Grave the parcel to a boy named Donovan, who was in Connor's boat, and told the boy to be particular with it. Believed the prisonor and Connor were working together in landing passengers. They were working "on shares." Three or four days afterwards the parcel was missing. Re-examined: The boy in Connors boat said it was lost out of the boat. Connor said " Alf" (meaning the prisoner) " know something about it." Timothy Donovan, the boy in Connor's boat, said the parcel was given to him. He placed it in the boat. Saw Boonstra standing in the middle of the boat. He appeared to have his hand in his breast. Siissed the parcel out of the boat when witness got ashore. Delivered the letter which came with the parcel to Mr. Kohn. Inquiry was at once instituted about the parcel. Never saw it afterwards. After about six weeks Connor and Boonstra had a " row " in the boat.

Cross-examined : Was quite sure that the parc«l did not get away' through the lining of the boat. Suspected Boonstra, but did not say anything to him at the time. '■ Was questioned by Kohn's brother respecting the missing parcel. Told one of the police at Q-ra-hamstown his suspicions.

[Left sitting.]