SUPREME COURT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2098, 5 June 1907, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

Press Association

AUCKLAND, yesterday

In the Supreme Court, John Bennett, a middle-aged man, was sentenced to tliroo years’ imprisonment for criminally assaulting a Maori girl. William James Lyons, for perjury at Gisborne, was sentenced to ■six months’ imprisonment. TIMARU, yesterday.

The sittings of tlio Supremo Court opened hero this morning before Mr. Justice Williams. The criminal calendar is a light one, comprising only three cases, but two lengthy civil cases are set down for hearing. The Crown Solicitor will apply for writs of attachment against thirteen slaughtermen’s assistants at Pareora who have failed to pay tho fines imposed upon them in connection with the recent strike.

The Grand Jury found true bills in the three cases presented, and two trials were completed. In one case, Henry Clifford was convicted of the theft of a swag, and, having three convictions against him, was sentenced to six months’ hard labor, following four months’ imprisonment awaiting trial. In a case of forgery and littering at Metliven, an alibi was proved, and the prisoner was discharged. A case of assault with intent remains, and the next case taken will be a motion for attachment of 13 Pareora slaughtermen’s assistants for non-payment of tlio fine for striking. The case will be defended.

INVERCARGILL, yesterday,

The Supreme Court opened to-day. Judge Chapman said ho was very pleased to be able to congratulate the grand jury on the absence of crime from this large and growing district. The calendar was an exceedingly small one, and it seemed to him, ill comparison with former times, to show a marked diminution. In proportion to population, it was comparatively insignificant. There was only three cases, one of alleged cattle-stealing, another sending a threatening letter, and the third false registration of birth. John McFadden, a school teacher, charged with making a false declaration to the Registrar regarding the ago of a girl of whose illegitimate child he was the father, was sentenced to eigliteon months’ imprisonment, his Honor stating ho had to look at all the circumstances, and not simply at the offence with which he was charged. Prisoner, who pleaded guilty, was a school teacher on the West Coast, and the girl one of his pupils, and' the false declaration was made at Wyndham, where both parties removed. Alexander Malaclii Lenihian found guilty of sending a threatening lotter, was sentenced to one months' imprisonment. The Grand Jury found no bill in the case of Edward Marshall, charged with cattle stealing. His Honor complimented the district on tho lightness of the calendar. The criminal sessions have closed.