SUPREME COURT.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1140, 23 March 1872, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

Thursday, March 21. (Before His Honor Judge Richmond.) On William Pothan, convicted on two charges of stealing cattle,' being brought up for sentence, Mr Button, for the prisoner, called the following winesses to character: William Perry, grocer, de posed that he knew the prisoner nine years ago. He bore a yeiy good character. Had not seen him for some time, perhaps for a couple of years. In Queenstown (Otago) he was considered to be a very respectable man. Cornelius O'Driscoll, hotel-keeper, deposed that ie : had known prisbiier for five arid . a-half years. He had alwa3 ? s borne a very good character. His Honor said he could not pass sentence in a case of this kind without considerable pain, when he saw a man of good character and respectability in such a position. No doubt the temptation to appropriate cattle wandering about was very considerable, and it was with the profoundeat regret that he contemplated the pain and degradation to all connected with the prisoner Which His conduct would bring upon them. His Honor knew that he was not passing sentence upon a callous rogue, brought before. the Court from time to . time for offences. The case against the^risoner was, however, clear, and after anxious consideration the jury had been compelled to come to the conclusion that the prisoner was guilty of the offence with which he was charged. The prisoner, perhaps, entertained the hope that he would secure again with the expectation of impunity. It was his Honor's painful duty to pass a. sentence in some degree adequate to the offence and to the protection of property.; In the case of the Queen against the prisoner on the information of M 'Naught, the sentence of the Court was that the prisoner be imprisoned in the common gaol' at. Hokitika and kept to hard labor for the term of one year. ; : The prisoner was then called upon in the case of the Queen, on the information of Michael Drennan, and replied to the question put to him by the Registrar, that he had nothing to say. His Honor : You have nothing to r aay, nor have I. The sentence of the Court in this case is that you be imprisoned in the common gaol at Hokitika, and kept to hard labor for the term of one year, the sentence to commence at the termination of; the one previously passed. George Petty alias Smith, was indicted for that he did, on the 27th September, -1871, feloniously wound and injure one. horse, the goods and chattels of James Rae. The prisoner pleaded. Not Giiilty,. and was defend 3d' by Mr Button! . After lengthy evidence, the prisoner > was sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard'labor. ' • " ■ '•" : '-.-' HisHouor rose without adjournment, , the business of the Circuit Court having been brought to a termination.