Supreme Court.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 6708, 29 May 1900, Page 2

Supreme Court.

(Per Press Association.)

Christchokch, May 28. The criminal sessions of the Supreme Court opened on Monday. Justice Edwards, in charging the Grand Jury remarked that out of 30 cases 16 were young New Zealanders. He said so with regiet, as if thore was any place where there was no cause for crime, it was in this country. He expressed the opinion that gambling, in its many forms, such as the totalisator, was responsible. Drink was bad enough, bat gambling, which peryaded the youth of the colony, was worse. The matter was beyond our control- He mentioned that breaking and entering appeared to be the fashionable crime in this country just now, and crime ran in cycles. This was a peculiar thing, which became apparent to those who had to deal with it. He then referred briefly to two charges on the list.

A young woman named Isabella Alexander, who pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing a number of articles, was sentenced to twelve months. A boy, named Archibald Wilson, forgery, six months' probation. James Winterbourn, bicycle-stealing, was released on probation for two years. The Judge remarked that these cases were getting serious, as the machines were often stolen from poor people, who could not afford it. A boy named Harry Hills pleaded guilty to breaking and entering. Sentence was deferred pending the hearing of another case. Joseph Thackwell pleaded guilty to stealing jewellery and other goods. He was placed on probation for two years. Alexander McLean, on a similar charge, got twelve months' imprisonment. William O'Connell, stealing money, received six months'. Thomas Falvey, attempted breaking and : entering with burglarious tools in his I possession, got two years on probation. Wm. McDonald Fraser, a lad, pleaded guilty to the forgery of a cheque and wag admitted to probation. James C. Bagnall and G. H. Eodgers were sentenced to three years' imprisonment with hard labour on charges of assault and robbery. Charles McCutcheon pleaded guilty to stealing two horses, and was admitted to probation for four years. George Deent, for forgery, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment.

Auckland, May 28. At the Supreme Court, Mr Judge Conolly in charging the grand jury, said while the number of indictments were not so numerous as usual, still he regretted there were many of a very serious character which would require most careful attention. E. Holloway, formerly a clerk in the Auckland Public Trust Office, who absconded to Sydney, was sentenced to three years' iniDrisonment for theft and false pretences.

May 29. At the Supreme Court, the lads Harry Hills and A. T. Griffin, who were convicGed on the previous day of stealing from a dwelling, were brought up for sentence. Tho former was released on recognisances, provided he went back to Burnham, and the latter was sentenced to two years' probation. Harry Augustus Scott, for breaking and entering, was sentenced to one year.

Wellington, May 28. I In the Supreme Court, Patrick! McGuire pleaded guilty to common i assault; James McLean pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property, and was remanded for sentence. Thomas Teece, for watch robbery, was found guilty, and remanded. John N. Engel pleaded guilty of forgeries, and was remanded. Henry North was convicted of breaking and entering, and remanded for sentence. Frederick alias Cas. Stephenson pleaded guilty to two charges of robbery and theft and was remanded for sentence. Henry Preston was found not guilty of the larcency of a watch. James McGunniss _ and Ernest Hendle pleaded guilty to wilfully damaging property, and were remanded for probation officer's report. May 29. Sentences in Supreme Court :— Patrick McGuire, assault, six months'. In giving John Engel, forgery, on five counts, 15 months, his Honor said he took into account the fact that prisoner had given himself up before any charge was laid against him and that he alleged the crime was committed to save his family from want. Henry North, an old offender, for breaking and entering at Palmerston North, received four years; Fredk. Stephenson, for theft, previous conviction, three years : Jas! McGuinness and Ernest Hendle, wilful damage at Mastertou, six months' probation and to pay the costs. The following pleaded guilty and were remanded for sentence :—Edgar G. Marsh, theft of a bicycle; John W. Lucas, receiving stolen property; John Crombie, forgery at Featherston; Jas. Collins, broaching cargo. The trial of John Deighton, tor the murder of his infant child, began to-day. On March 9th, after a quarrel with his wite, to whom he was only married two years, he cut the baby's throat. He gave himself up and confessed the murder, saying he was perfectly sane and sober and had not his courage failed he would have cut his own throat too. Mr Jellicoe defends and the line taken is that accused was insane at the time of the deed.

Dunedix, May 28. _ At the Supreme Court ten cases were disposed of convictions resulting in each. The following sentences were passed :— John Moftat, stealing a watch, one year and eleven months; Andrew Howard, theft of bicycle, two years ; Mary O'Neill, theft from dwelling, three years ; Elizabeth Bockley, theft from person, three years; William Campbell and Joseph Barnes, broaching and stealing cargo in the harbour, six months; Thomas Eitchie, causing bodily harm co an old woman, three years.