Supreme Court.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7919, 27 September 1904, Page 3

Supreme Court.

PALMERSTON-MONDAY.

{.BefurV his -Honor?Mr Jmi-ica Coo^or,)

ALLGED LARCENI

Emma Gibbons (Mr Inue«) was charged (1) with the larceny of seventeen ducks, the property of JnOi lanson, in August, 1904, and (2) with receiving the ducks, knowing them to have been stolen.

Mr H. S. Fitzherbert prosecuted.

The following jury was empannelled -. —F. H. Mowlem (foreman), Geo Davidson, G. Dale, R. Neil, W. S. Maunder, C. E. Crozier, F. G. Baker, G. "W. Aye, J. J. Hickey, and S. Palmer.

The faots of the case were that the ducks were missed from informant's house, at the goif grounds, early in August. The missing birds, which were principally white and grey, in colour, had been ringed with indiarubbef rings, when young, and these rings eventually marked the legs of the ducks. Subsequently informant, with the police, visited accused's house and saw some ducks there.. Some, of the white ducks, were oaugb> and on their legs, it was alleged, the marks of the rings were noticeable.

Evidence to this effect and in corroboration of the evidence, given in the lower Court (tull details of which have already been published) was given by the informant, Jrio. lanson, Francis lanson and Constable De Loree.

Mr Innes addressed the jury on the evidence placed before them by the prosecution, which, he contended, was not sufficient to convict. He said it would be proved that the prisoner had purchased ducks in Palmerston, and he accounted for the marks on the legs of the ducks by stating that they had been brought here from Ballanae and that, during a part of the journey, they had their legs tied together and were then slung over a pack-saddle. Counsel had had not concluded his address when his Honor remarked that he did not thinK tbere was sufficient evidence to convict. Addressing the jury, he traversed the evidence for the prosecution and reiterated he did not think they could convict.

The jury, without. retiring, agreed with his Honor's expressions, and thß prisoner was discharged.

TRUE BILLS,

The Grand Jury returned true bills against Charles Cannon and P. Calpin (assault and robbery), Peter Mickleson (embezzlement), Henry Hopkins (false pretencesl, Harry Deeley (breaking and entering), Chas. Miller (theft from a dwellhag), J. H. Woolhouse (arson), Daniel Egan (rogue and vagabond.) They threw out the indictment against W. Lowe, J. C. Eobinson and A. Hartley for alleged arson at Feilding.

(Per Press Association)^

NEW PLYMOUTH, September 26. In the Supreme Court Ohas. Woodley, charged with the theft of a horse, trap and harness, was found not guilty and was discharged. The case against Alex. Spalping, who was charged with rape, broke down, and the accused was released.