SUPREME COURT.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1929, Page 5

SUPREME COURT.

(By Telegraph —Press Association). PALMERSTON N., Feb. 5. The quarterly session of the Supreme Court opened this morning before Judge Smith. In his charge to the Grand Jury his Honour commented on the light criminal calendar. One prisoner was sentenced on one charge. Referring to the latter case of accused being indicted on two counts of breaking, entering and stealing from certain premises ; secondly, lie did break and enter with intent to commit a crime, His Honour said the part of the evidence that would he most material, would he that relating to finger prints, which were well established as sufficient evidence of identification and as being infallible. Laurie Davies, who appeared for sentence on a charge of stealing a watch nine years ago, was admitted to probation for one year. Tne Crown Solicitor said the watch was found in accused’s possession when arrested for another offence. TRUE BILL RETURNED. PALMERSTON N., Feb. 5. The grand jury of the Supremo Court returned a true hill against James Morton McGill, aged 33, labour canvasser, charged with breaking and entering the shop of James Clark Christie, tobacconist, and stealing a sate valued at £lO and cheques £24, notes £37, siver over £3. They also returned a true hill on an alternative charge of breaking and entering the premises with intent to commit a crime. The Crown Prosecutor outlining the case, stated the safe disappeared from the premises together with contents. A lid of a cigarette tin was found on the promises with finger-prints, which finger-prints the Department at Wellington said were those of McGill. The case is proceeding. DUNEDIN, Feb. 5. The criminal sittings opened with seven cases lor trial, six involving dishonesty and one bodily violence. Tn the latter case a taxi driver is alleged to have Loon stabbed in n scuffle by a coloured seaman aboard the steamer Bloemfontein. Judge MacGregor referring to the eases of dishonesty remarked this class of offence seemed to he very prevalent in the community at present. Andrew Trainor. William Neilsen, and William MacTnvish, appeared for sentence on a charge of breaking and entering. Trainor was sentenced to six months gaol and the other two were admitted to probation for eighteen months. William Henry Hnskings. 37, received three years gaol, for indecently assaulting his grnnd-daugLter, a child of tender years.