CHRISTCHURCH.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 16, Issue 884, 5 December 1870, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH.

Monday, Dec. 5. The Criminal Sittings of the Supreme Court were opened to-day. Judge Qresson, in Jii.s charge to the Grand Jury, congratulated them on the lightness of the calendar, there being only twelve committals, and these mostly for light offences. Wis Honor remarked as follows :••-" I hare been examining the criminal records of the various Provinces for the last four years, and it is satisfactory to tind that since 1867 crime has not been increasing, and that the number of committals for this year does not come up to that for 1887. The crimes most common ar<> larceny, obtaining money under false pretences (generally by means of valueless cheque") forgery, and embezzlement— all of which in most instances are traceable to the excessive use of intoxicating liquors. T have reason to think, however, thai this frightful source of crime is decreasing, and that a still further decrease may be looked for, owing to the elibrts which are now being made for more widely diffusing the benefits of education." He remarked further that the bankruptcy law was in a very unsatisfactory state, and that very frequently the creditors were as much to blame for the failure of publicans and small farmers as the bankrupts themselves. Chang, the Chinese giant, opens here to-day. He leaves tot Ut;tgo on Friday next.

put a aeries of question?, and report; fcue result to an adjourned meeting. Nimblefopt, the winner of the Mel? bourne Cup, has been sold by auction for six liundred and fifty guineas. . The Polynesia Company .have appointed a committee to fully investigate the conduct of their officers, Business very dull. Flour, lower, no sales at over £\2 10s. "Wheat, steady; New Zealand quoted at 5s 2d. Oats, ordinary samples, 3s 5& t<o 3s 6d j good, 3s 7d to 3s Bd. Sugars, quiet. Wool is now arriving more freely, and the prices realized are considered satisfactory. The brig Lady Denison has arrived, and is now loading for Wanganui. Sailed—May, for Hokitika; for Invercargill.