SUPREME COURT.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2416, 3 January 1882, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

CRIMINAL SESSIONS, This Day. [Before His Honor Mr Justice Johnston.] The criminal session of the Supreme Court opened at II a.m. . Tho following gentlemen were 03 worn (as the Grand Jury:—Messrs James Gapes, senior, F. H. Brittan, W. Day, F. Taylor, H. J. Hall, W. Reeves, J. Fulton, O. Lonisson, B. Steele, J. Inglis, H. Hawkins, O. Wansey, B. J. S. Harman, J. T. Ford.

Mr Harman was chosen foreman of the Grand Jury. Hiii Honor delivered the usual charge to the Grand Jury. Ho said he was happy to be able to congratulate them upon the open*, ing of the new year on having as light a calendar of esses os had been before them for years past. He could not see from the depositions that there was any indication of the growth of crime, and he trusted they could now be congratulated upon the fact that there was nothing in the cases before them to show that there was any formation of a criminal class. This was due no doubt to the fact that the members of this had to a large extent been traced out and sentenced to lopg periods of imprisonment. An examination of the cases on the calendar would show that there were no charges of robbery with violence, nor none of those which had been before them on [previous occasions of robbery of drunken men. Therefore, ho thought, they might congratulate themselves upon the fact that in this part of the oclony crime was decreasing, and also that there was no evidence of the growth amongst them of organised gangs of criminals. Since last they met a number of public events of importance had taken place throughout the colony to which it was not necessary for him to refer to very fully. He need only say that all good colonists would join in the hope that the measures adopted by the Government would conduce to the welfare of the whole of the inhabitants of the colony. Whilst looking forward hopefully at the commencement of a new year to the prospects before them, coupled with the absence of any large amount of crime, there were some events which had occurred of a sorrowful nature. During the past few days they had lost by death a gentleman who had for years occupied a place on the Bench of New Zealand, and who had been connected most intimately with the early history of the colony. By his death they had lost an upright, genial, and educated gentleman, one who too had identified himself most thoroughly with everything having {or its object the advancement of the highest interests of his fellow colonists. Still more recently they, in this part of the colony, had sustained a great lose by the death of a Magistrate who was universally respected throughout the district, and who had won for himself the confidence of tho supreme tribunal of this portion of the colony. And yet again within the last few hours the intelligence had reached them of the death of a mos t genial courteous gentleman, who had in his capacity of grard and special juror, rendered groat service to the colony. It was not for him there to enlarge further upon these events, but he could not allow the opportunity to pass without addressing a few words to them upon the matter, and expressing to them the regret which the events he had referred to had caused throughout the distil:;. His Honor then proceeded to comment on the oases in the calendar. LAROBHI FROM A DWELLING. Morgan Harper was indicted for the larceny of a watch from one Thomas West. Mr Duncan, with him Mr Martin, prosecuted on behalf of the Crown. The prisoner, who was undefended, pleaded “ Not Guilty." 1 i The facta of the case for the prosecution were that the prisoner was residing with the proaeoutor, who is a hotel keeper at Upper

Selwya. On the day stated in the indictment the prosecutor took off his vest, in which was the watch, in a scullery. Shortly after this the prosecutor missed his watch, and ultimately it was found in a sack which was used by the prisoner as a mattrass. Evidence having been led by the Grown, the jury returned a verdict of “ Guilty.” Mr Inspector Broham stated that there were eleven previous convictions against the prisoner for larceny. Sergeant Hughes deposed to the prisoner being a bad character, and having been convicted on five charges of larceny. Mr George Bsston, gaoler at Addington, stated the prisoner was now under sentence for three larcenies. His Honor sentenced the prisoner to four years" psnal servitude. HOUSE STEALING. James W. Crabtree was indicted for horse stealing. Ths prisoner, who was defended by Mr Holmes, pleaded “ Not guilty.” Mr Duncan said, that though the Grand Jury had found a true bill, he did not, after consideration, think that the case presented that felonious intent which was necessary to make up the crime of horse stealing. Hence he did not intend to proceed with the case against the prisoner. His Honor said, that on reading the depositions, ha was quite with Mr Duncan on this point. Mr Duncan having entered a nolle prosequi, the jury, under the direction of his Honor, returned a verdict of “Not Guilty,” and the prisoner was discharged. BBEACH OF THE MABEIAOE ACT. Edward James Hunter was indicted for having made a false declaration as to the age of one Mary Ellen Howson with a view to inducing the Registrar of Marriages at Kaiapol to issue a license for marriage between him and Miss Hewaon. The prisoner, who was represented by Mr Holmes, pleaded “Guilty.” Mr Johnston, the registrar, in reply to his Honor, stated that the fact of the false declaration was brought to his knowledge by the father of Miss Hewson, and he referred the matter to Wellington. He was then instructed by the Bogistrar-General to proceed in the case. Mr Holmes desired to call witnesses as fo the previous character of the prisoner. His Honor said that he would take the good character of the prisoner as proved. He should sentence the prisoner to six days’ imprisonment, without hard labor, and to pay a fine of £lO to the Queen, and to be imprisoned until the fine be paid. INDECENT ASSAULT. W. H. Button was indicted with having committed an indecent assault on December 16th. Mir Stringer appeared for the defence, l [Left sitting.]