Wellington Supreme Court

Feilding Star, Volume X, Issue 115, 4 April 1889, Page 3

Wellington Supreme Court

CASE AGAINST ROBERT PRICE

Robert Thomas Price pleaded not guilty to having on the 6th of August, 1887, stolen certain articles, the property of D. J. Edwards. Mr Gray prosecuted, and Mr Jellicoe defended.

The evidence for the prosecution was similar to that given in the R.M, Court here, and which has already appeared in these columns.

F; R. Linton deposed to finding Mr Edward's cash-box (which was among the articles stolen) in a cowshed on a farm "which Price had occupied before him. This farm was owned by the prisoner's father.

Mr Jellicoe called no evidence for the defence. He submitted that there was no evidence to prove possession, seeing that the articles in question were not found in his house, but in the house occupied by his Father, and were not in the prisoner's possession. His Honor held that there was a case for the jury. Mr Jellicoe addressed the jury, laying special stress on the prisoner's previous good character. His Honor summed up, the jury retired at 6.40, and returned at 7.47 with a verdict of guilty on the third count (larceny.) His Honor said that was a very judicious verdict.

Mr Jellicoe asked if His Honor would \>e prepared to refer the matter to the ■Probation Officer, His Honor thought probation was a -ridiculous word to apply to a man of prisoner's age. In reply to Mr Jellicoe, His Honor said he was not disposed at present to deal with the accused under the Act.

Sergeant Manning said as far as be knew there was nothing against the prisoner.

- His Honor -ordered the case to stand over till next Friday, instructing the Probation Ofi&cer (Constable - Meehan) to present a report.