SUPREME COURT.

Evening Star, Issue 3704, 6 January 1875, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

CRIMINAL SESSION. Wednesday, January 6. (Before Mr Justice Chapman.) ARSON. The charge of arson against George Jones, adjourned from the previous day, was continued, the following additional witnesses being called for the defence William Rudman, Johu Butler (who made an examination of the remains of the tent immediately after it had been destroyed, and came to the conclusion that the fire was accidental), Johu Stevens, and Joseph Parker, who had known the prisoner for fourteen years and gave him a very good character. Mr Taylor then addressed the jury at length, and submitted that the words “ I will deal with you,” used to Howard by prisoner for burning charcoal so near his property could not be perverted into an expression or threat of doing the man au injury. If such a theory were adopted, and one man was to say to another that he would make it hot for him, and the person so addressed was afterwards found dead these words might be equally well construed into a threat to kill him. Where the evidence was all presumption or suspicion, as in this case, motive was a very important feature. The jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty. SENTENCES. Charles Fowler (24), who pleaded guilty on Monday to stealing two diamond studs, the property of Dr. Carr, from the Commercial Hotel, Lawrence, was brought up for sentence. His Honor, in passing sentence, remarked that all he could say was that the goods stolen were over the value of L 5, and therefore warranted the charge in the indictment—that of stealing property over the value of L 5 in a dwellinghouse. It was fortunate for prisoner that there was no other offence recorded against him. He had dealt with the property, and had not restored it to its owner. He was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment with hard labor.

James M "Cormack (27), who pleaded guilty to stealing a cash-box containing L3O, said that he relied on his Honor’s mercy, seeing that it was his first offence, and he hoped that he would be dealt with as leniently as possible. This would act as a warning to him not to commit another crime.—His Honor said there was another element in this case—a hr -ach of trust because prisoner had bceu employed as a waiter at Watson’s restaurant, and was, of course, acquainted with every part of the house, and took advantage of it to take the cash-box, with all the money it contained, A considerable portion, however, had been returned, and he (his Honor) hoped prisoner’s plea of guilty showed contrition, and that he would do as he stated, and that this would be the last time that he would be here. Prisoner was sentence I to two years’ imprisonment, with hard labor.

Samuel Carey (33), who pleaded guilty to stealing a watch, threw himself on the mercy of the Court, and hoped to be dealt leniently with. —His Honor said that prosecutor, a laboring man, had taken his coat and waistcoat olf to work, and prisoner had violated them, as it were, and taken the watch out of the vest. When followed by the prosecutor and got hold of, he gave up possession of the watch, He was sent to gaol for nine months. John Fraser (37), who pleaded guilty to a charge of forgery, asked to be dealt lightly with, as he had a wife and small family depending on his support. —His Honor told prisoner that he ought to have taken that into consideration before be put biwself in peril, Uufortu-

nately very often when crimes were committed it was very painful to judges to pass sentence, as it fell on the wife ami children. The only wonder was that a man should be so foolish as to forge a cheque in this way, as detection was sure to follow sooner or later. Forgery was, of all otfences, the most difficult to escape detection. —Prisoner was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, with hard labor. THEFT. John Levi Goldberg was indicted for stealing, at Cromwell, a bag containing L 9, two nuggets, and two quartz specimens. Prisoner, who was not defended, pleaded “ Not guilty.” Prisoner was found guilty, and sentenced to eighteen months’ imprisonment. The Court adjourned till ten o’clock tomorrow.