SUPREME COURT.-CRIMINAL SITTINGS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3733, 3 July 1883, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.-CRIMINAL SITTINGS.

This Day,

(Before His Honor Chief JusticePrendergast) His Honor took his seat at 10 a.m. PERJURY. John Christie was indicted for having on the 31st February last, committed wilful and corrupt perjury during the hearing of the assault case, Necnan v. Christie, heard beforo the Resident Magistrate at Napier, by stating on oath that he did not twice knock down "William Neenan. Mr Cotterill, Crown Solicitor, conducted the case for tho prosecution, ancl MiMcLean appeared for the prisoner.

Mr McLean said, before going into the case, he wished to mention a few circumstances in connection with it that ho thouirht should be mado known to tho Court. His client hacl instructed Mr Lascellos as his counsel, but that gentleman was seriously ill and unable to attend the Court. It appeared, moreover, that Mr Lascellos was in possession of more information respecting tho case than anyone else, for which reason his absence was tho greater to be regretted. Unfortunately, also, Mr Laseelles' notes could not bo found, and in his present state no communication could be held with him. Under the circumstances he (Mr McLean) would ask His Honor to take into consideration the desirability of postponing the trial until the December sittings of tho Court. This course, he understood, would not effect the trial of the remaining two prisoners being proceeded with.

His Honor suggested that Christie's case might be taken after the other two were disjioscd of. That would allow Mr McLean another day to prepare his case.

Mr McLean said that, so far as he knew of the condition of Mr Lascellos, this would serve no good purpose. If tho Court did not consent to adjourn the trial until December ho would prefer to go on with it at once. In reply to His Honor, Mr Cotterill said he could not agree to the proposed adjournment. His Honor said in that case the trial must proceed. The following jury was thon sworn in :— Messrs C B. Winter (foreman), James Lopdeli, 6. Apperloy, J. Bickncll, junr., J. Foster, J. Roulston, John Nelson, G. Peebles, A. Fallot, G. Scarfe, W. If. Northe, and Percy Martin. The case having been opened by Mr Cotterill, evidence, substantially the same as that taken in the lower Court (and already published in the Daily Telegraph,) was heard, and was still proceeding when our reporter left.