SUPREME COURT.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2493, 3 April 1882, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

CBIMINAL SITTINGS.

Monday, Apbii, 3, 1882.

[Before his Honor Bir James Prendorgasti Chief Justice.] The criminal session of the Supreme Court opened at 11 o'clock a.m. The Deputy Begistrar read a formal document by his Honor Mr Justice Johnston, authorising his Honor the Chief Justice to preside at the criminal session of the Court in his plaoo. GBAND JUBY. The following gentlemen were sworn in as a Grand Jury:—Biohard Westenra (foreman), George King, Sogers Deaoon, Joseph M. Hey wood, Frederiok Hobbs, William Herbert Allington, Charles Kivor, William Edward Ivey, Fred. William Dslamain, John Anderson, jun., Augustus E. Pavitt, David Davis, Walter Blake, Edmund Weeks, Hugh Mollroitb, Fred. Charles Paul, Bobort P. Bain, and William B. Armson. His Honor, in his oharge to the Grand Jury, said he understood that the number of oasea that came up for their consideration was about the average. Some of them he would find it necessary to make a few observations about. The general observation ho regretted to have to make was that in the oalendar he found three oases of offences by men—males at any rate —upon young girls. This was a matter to whioh the attention of Grand Juries—and through them, of the public—had been s> frequently drawn that be need make no further observations upon it, except that he thought a matter of this sort ought not to pass without remark. His Honor then oharged the Grand Jury on the different oases set down in the calendar, pointing out the leading features in eaoh. BAPB. William Hart was arraigned upon an indiotment charging him with committing this offence upon a girl named Emily Gertrude Bobbins, of the ago of eight years, atKahpoi, on the 13th of January last. The prisoner was undefended by oounsel. Mr Dunoan, Crown Prosecutor, having opened the case for tho prosecution, called tho following evidence : Frank Bobbies deposed that he'was the father of Emily Gertrude Bobbins, who was eight years of ace last August. She was missing from home for some time on the evening of Friday, the 13fch January. Emily Gertrude Bobbins, having been questioned by his Honor as to the consequences of not telling the truth, was examined. She deposed that she remembered playing with some children at Kaiapoi one evening, and that she saw the prisoner, who gave her some lollies. She was with her brothers and sisters. He asked her to show him where Mr Hurst's was, and she did. She then went with him into tho bush, and he struck her on the faoo and knocked hor down. She did not remember his doing anything else. Was certatn the prisoner was the man.

Agnew Shaw, aged eleven, deposed that he was in Jones itreat at Kaiapoi at about eight o'olock on Friday evening, the 13th January. Saw tho prisoner thore. He spoke to Emily Bobbins, and gave her some lollies. He did not wear a coat, but had a hat on. It was like the soft black felt hat produced. He did not see the prisoner go away with Emily Bobbins. The lollies were not like those produced. The man had a little leather belt on his wrist.

By the prisoner—l am not sure that you aro the person who spoke to us. The man had a coat on.

Jessie Graham, aged thirteen, deposed that at about half-past seven o'clock on Friday evening, the 13th January, she saw the prisoner in Meadows road, Kaiapoi. He asked her where a man named Falkner lived, and she said she did not know. He then went round the corner to Jones' street. He had a black folt hat on, like the one produced, and wore no ooat. Did not observe anything on his wrist. Did not see him again that evening. By the prisoner—I am sure you had no coat on. Your shirt was a grey colored one. You did not give me any lollies. I saw a puper in your hand. James Hurst, farmer, of Kaiapoi, deposed that on the evening in question he went with others in searoh of Emily Bobbins. At about 11 o'clook he went into a piece of sorub close to the river, about 50 yards from his premises and 150 yards from Mr Bobbins's house. Saw Emily Bobbins there standing up. Told one of the men to take her home, and at once instituted a search in the sorub. Discovered a part of the ground that had been very muoh disturbed, as if a struggle had taken place, and found the felt.hat produced and the girl's hood close together. There were marks of blood on the bood whioh looked quite fresh. After sending the ohild home witness and party went to a house about seven miles from Kaiapoi. Witness went inside the house with Police Sergeant Gilbert, and found the prisoner in bed. After the woman who was with him had gone cut he was told to dress himself, whioh he did. Witness notioed blood on his drawero, and told him to put on others. The trousers wore wet and discolored at the knees, as if the wearer had been kneeling on the ground. There was nlso a spot of blood on them. Witness aoked the woman, whose name was Byan, if she was the prisoner's wife, and she said "No." He then showed her the hot, and asked her if she knew whose it was. Sho said, " Yes, it is Billy's hat. It is the one he wore yesterday." The prisoner said, " No, I did not wear that hat yesterday. I wore the one on my head." [The worn hat produoed.J The prisoner was then arrested and brought into Kaiapoi by the Sergeant. The prisoner, when told to put on his drawers, said to Sergeant Gilbert, " What do you want mo for ? Is it about a robbery?" The Sergeant said, " No," and the prisoner said " I expected you." Ultimately, the sergeant told him the charge, and he said "I wasn't there; I haven't been in Kaiapoi for a week." Afterwards, when speaking with the sergeant, ho admitted that he had been in Kaiapoi on the previous day, and also said that he wore no ooat on that occasion, but carried one on his arm. Whon arrested the prisoner had a leather strap on hill wrist. [Left sitting.]