CRIMINAL SITTINGS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 3, 4 January 1875, Page 2

CRIMINAL SITTINGS.

[Before his Honor Mr. Justice Richmond.]

THIS DAY.

The criminal sittings of the Supreme Court commenced this morning. The following gentlemen were sworn in on the Grand Jury : — J. St landers, J. Sharp, J. Oliham, H. Stafford, J. Symons, W. S. Mortimer, W. H. Turner, W. Wells, A. W. Scaife, G. Talbot, J. Marsien, J. BtattK C. Hunter Brown, T. Cawthron, A. S. Collins, H. E. Curtis, F. Ke'Hng, W. Oldham, C. F. Watts, and C. B. i Wither (foreman). j His Honor changed the Grand Jury as fo'lows:— Mr Fort man, and gentlemen of the Grand Jury — On the present circuit I am glad to say^hat the calender is a very light one, as light, indeed, as on any previous occasion except one, when it was an abolute blank. There are but two cases, both of offences against property. One is of a somewhat grave nature, being a systematical depredation on the property of a runholder. You will see whether there is a case to go to the petty jury or not. If a prima facie case is made out you will, of course, have to send it to a jury. It may be difficult to prove it btfore them, but that has yet to be seen. I may state that which is probably known to most of .vou, that my pecuiar connection with this judicial district will terminate at the long vacation. A new circuit has been assigned to mo elsewhere, but our close connection is about to be dissolve!. My duties as Judge in the Criminal Court have, for the seven years I have presided over it, been light, an 1 1 cannot recollect one case of transcendent interest in this district, nothing for instance approaching the notorious Maungatapu tragedy which occurred about a year before my arrival. Now and then, there have beeu some of the gravest offence*, but they have been lew Bnd far between Another subject of congratulation is that I see no prospect of an increase in the calendar, which now is as light as ever it was, notwithstanding the natural increase of population as well as ils extuision by immigration. If this should be the experience of the colony for the next few years we shall have occasion to congratulate ourselves on the good fortune of the colony with regar.i to the character of its immigrants. Gentlemen, I have no further observations to make, and you may now retire to your duties. The Grand Jury after finding true bills in both cases made the following presentment to his Honor (he Judge: — " The Grand Jury present that it is with great regret they hear that jour Honor is about shortly to leave th's province. " That they cannot allow you to depart without expressing their sense, and, they are sure, that of the whole community also, of the calm, dignified, and impartial manner in which your Honor has presided over the Supreme Court of this district; also of the careful, painstaking, and patient attention you have given to every case or matter which has been brought before you, and of the satisfaction felt by aU classes in having had at the head of this Court a Judge in whom they had such full confidence. "The Grand Jury wish yourself and family a safe, prosperous, and pleasant journey, and hope to see you return to the colony restored to perfect health. (Signed), C. B. Wither, Foreman. His Hoxon, in rep'ying, said: You are aware, Gentlemen, that servants of her Majesty in my position are ordinarily forbidden to seek: or to receive testimonials of popular favor. In order that Judaes may better Herve the public, it is better that they should not he exposed to such temptation. This testimonial, however, does not appear to sin ngainst this ru'e. It comes from gentlemen who, equally with myself have been engaged in the administration of justice, and who, from their position, are entitled to speok on behalf o r the community, and is therefore highly gratifying to me. I am not without hope that we may yet do business together again, although it may not be for a long time. I wish once more to express my sincere thanks for this testimony of your appreciation of my services. Forgery. Henry Brooks alias John Wadsworth, was indicted for altering a cheque for £1 3s lOd, paid to him by Mr Bettany, and making it appear to be for £21 3s lOd. Mr H. Adams appealed for the Crown. The prisoner, who picaded not guilty, was undefended. The names of the jury were as follows : — John Westrupp, Thomas Usher, T. Newlon, T. Hunt, C. Adamson, Bobert Gray. T. Ford, J. Simmonds, W. Pitcher, B. J. Brock, M Newth, J. CroBS jim. (foreman). The evidence was of an uninteresting character. Prisoner in defence ma^e a long rambling statement, adhering to his old story that he had dropped the cheque which had been picked up by a Maori, from whom he purchased it in its altered form. He concluded by saying that this was a cleverly got up scheme against him, and well carried out by those who had made up their minds to put him io gaol. The jury having retired for a few minutes, found a verdict of Guilty. His Uonob, in passing sentence, said that the offence of tamparing with a cheque was a very grave one, although in the present case none of the art of the practised forgei. by which experienced people might be deluded, had beeu used. However, the intention was the same, and this must be taken into consideration, The sentence of the Court would be that he be imprisoaed for two years with hard labor. Sheep Stealing. John Dogherty was charged with stealing certain sheep, the property of Mr. John Kerr. Mr. Acton Adams appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Fell for the prisoner. The jury consisted of the following :— Charles Adamaon, T. Hall, J. Simmonds, M Newton, W. J. Burton, T. Rodley, W. Wells, T. Dunn. J. Westrupp, T. Ilaynes, W. T. Pit<her, T. Usher (foreman)., Mr. Adams having opened the case for the prosecution, called Jonathan Hadfield, who gave the principal evi ience before the Resident Magistrate, but was not forthcoming. John Kerr was the next wilness, but his evidence did not |jos»ss much interest. Peter Macdonald was under examination wlun we went to presa.