SUPREME COURT.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 180, 6 January 1875, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

CRIMINAL SITTINGS. Tuesday, January 5. [Before his Honor Mr Justice Gresson.] [The following is the continuation of our report from the time of going to press yesterday.] « ; LARCENY AS A BAILEE. William Rich was indicted for having on the 6th October, 1874, then being the bailee of a mare, saddle, and bridle, the property of John Hills, fraudulently converted the same to his own use. The prisoner, who was undefended, pleaded “ Not Guilty.” Mr B. Button was chosen foreman of the petty jury. The facts of the case were as follows : The prisoner, who was living at View Hill, Akaroa, obtained the loan of a mare, martingale, saddle, and bridle belonging to the prosecutor, but it was afterwards found that the prisoner had sold the mare for £7 to Judge at Tai Tapu, The evidence of Detective Benjamin, the prosecutor Hills, and others having been taken, the jury returned a verdict of “ Guilty." His Honor sentenced the prisoner to two years’ imprisonment with hard labor. The Court then adjourned to ten a,m, this day.

/[> _>■■>. . . Wednesday, January 7. [Before his Honor Mr. Justice Gresson.] The sitting of the Gaurt was resumed at 10 a.m. this day. EMBEZZLEMENT. T. Y. Whitmore was indicted for having while employed as clerk to Thomas Barton and others, forming a Lumpers’ Society, embezzled three sums of money, viz., £2l 10s, £ll 12s, and £2O 2s. The prisoner pleaded “Not Guilty.” Mr Duncan appeared to prosecute on behalf of the Crown. Mr T. I. Joynt appeared for the defence. Mr W. B. Pyne was chosen foreman of the petty jury. *“ ' ' The facts of the case as detailed in evidence are as follows :—ln March, 1874, a society was intended to be formed in Lyttelton, under the name of theXumpers’ Society. Several meetings took place, but the society did not come to anything. The projectors, however, subsequently met amongst themselves, and framed certain, rules and regulations amongst themselves, but the society was hot registered, nor were the rules certified to by the Revising Officer. The prisoner/ was appointed secretary and treasurer, and as such received several sums of money from the members at the various meetings. On the 9th of March he received £2l 10s on account of contributions paid in that night. After this the prisoner also received two further sums of £ll 12s, and £2O 2s. The prisoner ought to have paid these moneys into a bank on account of the society. It was afterwards found that he had not done so. The prisoner was then called upon to account for the monies he had not received, : hut he could not do so. A balance-sheet was prepared, when it was found that the prisoner was greatly in arrears. The result was that the prisoner was arrested on charge of having fraudulently converted theJ monies he had received from the members of the society to his own use. , ■ , Mr Duncan called evidence in support of the facts above stated, including Thomas Barton, who produced the minute and cash books of the society, and also the rules, extracts from which, referring to the duties of the prisoner, as secretary and treasurer, were -read.-- 1. J“ ’ Several witnesses were examined, and the case was not concluded when we went to press. . . T,, , -