SUPREME COURT.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11509, 16 February 1903, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

CRIMINAL SESSIONS. The criminal sessions of the Supreme Court were continued on Saturday, before Mr Justice Denniston. THE "RINGING-IN" CASE. Richard Tost (.Mr Harper) was alleged to have forged, on October 16m, 1901' a registration document, and presented it to the New Zealand Trotting Association, whale applying to register the horse Major Robin, which was falsely described an Fancy Free. Tne accused, who pleaded "Not guilty" to both counts, was further charged with forging and uttering a. cheque for £16, on November 7th, 1901. C. -G. Lamb, clerk to Mr Win. Roffiitt, secretary to tho Trotting Association, deposed to Post's application at his office for a reeistrat-on form on the date named. William Rollitt, secretary to the Association, stated that under the rules no horse could compete in a race unless registered. A horse named Fancy Free won a small stake in a meeting held by the North Canterbury Jockey Club in 1901. Witness received a" cheque" for £16 from the secretary of the club, together with a form of receipt. The accused Post asked for the cheque, and witness told him that it, was for J. -..ennie, and he was instructed not to hand it over to anybody without that gentleman's signature. This the accused undertook to get, and witness gave him the receipt ior trie purpose. On his return the same day, with the receipt signed John Rennie. " witness gave him the cheque. Later on tl_e Association instituted an inquiry regarding this, horse Fancy Free. Prior to tlw dale fixed for the purpose, the accused came to witness, who mentioned to him the rumour that it was a "rung-in" horse. Witness advised the accused, if he had done anything wrong, to make a clean Dreast of it, and at losts dictation wrote a letter to the Association, which the accused signed. John and James Rennie. deposed tnat they had never had anything to do with the" horse Fancy Free in any way. Detective Ward also gave evidence. Mr Harper stated that, as the confession dictated to Mr Bollitt and others sworn before the Association had been put in, ms client withdrew the plea of "Not guilty. Sentence, was deferred for inspection ol the probation officer's report. In one particular this was not satisfactory, and athe officer was in another d'stnet, ho coulc not be called. The accused's mother gavx evidence as to bis good character. Mr Harper stated that the Trotting AS sociation would be quite satisfied if tn< accused were placed on probation. His Honour inflicted a penalty of tint* months' imprisonment. ALLEGED ASSAULT AND ROBBERY Evender Leit_ (Mr Joynt) and Join Black denied the charge of assaulting an. robbing JMirily Trudgeon of £4 lata ou» a go-Id watch, valued at £5, on Decern ber 4th. ... _ ~»._ The jury returned a verdict of JNo ffuilty." , ALLEGED THEFT. . Stanley Arch._a_d Daley - pleaded "No guilty to a charge of stealing a bicycle bdonging to William Woodhouse, on vllued at £18, at Timaru on Novemto. The accused, for whom Mr Byrne ar peared, was found guilty, and sentenced t three months' imprisonment.