THE SUPREME COURT.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3891, 9 January 1884, Page 3

THE SUPREME COURT.

Auckland, This day.

At the Supreme Court yesterday John Fitzgerald, convicted of larceny, Avas sentenced to two years' imprisonment; Peter Harper, unlawfully wounding, four months. William Good, charged Avith maliciously Avounding cattle, Avas acquitted In tho case of Joseph Antonio it appeared from tho evidence of the prosecutor that the Avatch and chain Avhich the prisoner was charged Avith stealing Averc stolen in Melbourne from the steamer AVaihora, and consequently, his Honor said, tho Court had no jurisdiction. He directed tho jury to find a verdict of not guilty, and tho prisoner Avas discharged. Wellington, This day. In the Supreme Court yesterday George George pleaded guilty to a charge of horsestealing, and Avas remanded for sentence. Tho charge of child murder against Kate Boyle occupied the Court the Avholo clay. At 0 o'clock in the evening the jury returned Avith a verdict of guilty, but Ayhilo in a state of insanity. His Honor said this Avas tantamount to a verdict of not guilty. Tho foreman intimated that the jury did not Avish to entirely exonerate the prisoner, and they again retired to further consider their verdict. At 10.15 they returned Avith a verdict of "Not guilty, on the plea of insanity." His Honor ordered the prisoner to bo kept in strict custody until tho Colonial Secretary's pleasure should bo knoAvn. This morning tho young man George George, avlio pleaded guilty to horse stealing, was sentenced to tAvo years' imprisonment. The case of arson against Mullens lias been postponed until Monday, owing to the absence of a material Avitness, aud it is probable that it Avill have to be further adjourned, as the Crown is unable to go on without his evidence. Elizabeth Trcncry was convicted of larceny from the person, and Avas sentenced to tAvelve months imprisonment.

Christchurch, This day. At the Supreme Court yesterday tho Grand Jury found true bills in all the cases except one, and made the following presentment :—"The Grand Jury is in entire accord with his Honor's remarks relative to tho prevalence of indecent assaults on young children. Tho occurrence of these crimes appears to bo on tho increase, and the natural deduction to bo draAvn from this is that tho punishment heretofore inflicted has not been deterrent. Tho Grand Jury

therefore considers that parents and guardians should be aAvarc of the danger to Avhich young children arc exposed, and should exercise more caution than they appear to do at present." Harry AValmer, convicted of an unnatural offence, was sentenced to five years' penal servitude; John Kelly, larceny, three years ; Henry Ferris, larceny, two years ; George Legge, indecent assault, six months and two Avhip-

pings of twenty-five lashes each with a cat. John Cutler avus convicted of perjury, but was strongly recommended to mercy on the ground of imbecility, and sentence was deferred till a point "of law had been decided.