Supreme Court

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7918, 26 September 1904, Page 5

Supreme Court

, PALidSRSTON^ONmY.^

The criminal sessions of the Supreme-' Court opened before his Honor, Mr- Justice Cooper, this morning. ' -.\:

GRAND JURY.

The following comprised the Grand Jury:—W. Park (foreman), C. P. 4,. ; AVhiteford, Jas. Mowlein; E. Gaseoigne, C.J. Monro,G. S. Rumble, H. Waldograve, W. Montgomerj'i Geo. Melrose r D. Pringle, C. M. Ross, T. Kitchen, T.. Bastin,. G. A, Preece, J. B. Cox, W. Stubbs, L. Simmons, J. B. Wishart, H. G. Bagnall, A. J. Graham, H. Palmer, F. S. Goldingham and A.- Rush. . ".■

HIS HONOR'S CHABGE,

In addressing the Grand Jury InsHonor said he was afraid he could not congratulate them on the lightness of the ■calenclar. : '.•.-There were twelve : charges against fifteen persons, all of them however, ordinary offences. His Honor referred to each of the cases in detail, mentioning the salient points and directing the jury on each. He expressed re-, gret: at the heavy calendar and that jurymen should be taken, from their business. It was considered by some, he said,.that the grand jury was a relic of the:past; and a presentment had'been made in this connection at Wangamii., He did not intend, however, to express any opinion qn.the very important and responsible duties .thrown upon the gentlemen summoned to carry out this function as the law stands at the present time. The jury then'retired.

TRUE BILLS.

A true bill was returned against Wm. Hunter Baxter (breaking and entering), Robert Humphries (arson;) Emma Gibbons (theft); Jas. Dobbs (bigamy.)

BREAKING AND ENTERING.

William Hunter Baxter pleaded guilty on three counts to a charge of breaking and entering the Bank of New South Wales, Palmerston, and stealing therefrom a revolver, a number of cartridges and thirteen penny stamps. Asked if he had anything to say before sentence was passed, accused handed in a lengthy written statement to the Court.

His Honor, subsequently addressing the accused, said he had read the state" ment but it was impossible to admit him to probation, first because he was.not a first offender and secondly because tho Probation Act was not intended to apply to this class of crime. V Accused, who had, < also pleaded guilty, in tne lbv^er Court to theft at theßoyal Hotel, was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment on each charge, the sentences to be concurrent.

ALLEGED ARSON. ' Robert Humphries, an elderly man, pleaded not guilty, on. two counts, to a, charge of wilfuUy,settmg fire/to a whare "at Feilding, the property of Carl Jacobsen, Feilding, on July 13th. Mr H. S. Fitziierbert prosecuted. Pri■soner was undefended. .'*' ;

The following jury was empannelled: ,-..E.2T. Barroud (foreman), Geo. Bay, S. Calmer, W. Moore; C. E. Crozier, G. Hobson, E. Burnes, A. G. Dawick, W. S. Maunder, Or. Green, A. V. Merriman and C. T. Keeble.

.•■■ Counsel, having outlined the case, called the following evidence: — John Ashworth said accused was tenant of a whore previously owned by ■witness. Tlie whore was sold to Me Jacobsen and accused was given a week's notice to quit. Before the week was'up witness and Jacobsen went up to tho whare and accused, during the course of conversation, said he would go out of tho' whare when they-liked.-. They left the whare bufc subsequently returned. When near ifT accused passed them, and on looking towards the whare they; sawit.was.on "fire.-They put-the flames-out but not < > before.^ the ceiling and walls' were eharred>-'Theysawa sack'near-a bunk,, ~\/ full-of old clothes,, saturated with kero:sene and; the flames had proceeded from , that. The police were informed and Constable Lyons took some boards of the ceiling (produced) which witness recognised.

Evidence was' also given. by Caj.l Jacobsen, owner of the whai'e, Con.stable Whitehouse. and .the accused, .the - latter stating that it., was not likely he would burn thp place down and leave himself destitute.

His Honor addressed the jury and they retired. T \ The prisoner was found guilty, anil remanded till tormorrow for sentence.

(Per Press Association)

NEW PLYMOUTH, This 'day,

The Supreme Court was opened thia morning before Jiidge Edwards. Thomas Brown; who, inthe lower Court, pleaded guilty of procuring abortion, was sen* teneed to five years' imprisonment. Edward Arthur Baven,. f or a similar offence, remanded wliile the circumstances of' his > turning./ King's evidence are-sub--•rnitted to Wellington.;'. ': ~ : : ;