SUPREME COURT.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIV, Issue 57, 13 October 1855, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

The half yearly session of the SupremeCourt was held on Wednesday last, before Mr. Justice Stephen. On calling over the grand jurors, two gentlemen residing in the I country did not reply to their names, but no notice was taken of their absence, as the arrival of the Judge, which took place only on the preceding evening, was probably unknown to them. The following gentlemen were then sworn: — Mr. Barnicoat, foreman; Messsrs; Blundell, J. Ward, Fell, J. Elliott, C. Elliott, Collins, Edwards, C. Brook, Goulter, V. Jones, Wells, Creasy, H. E. Curtis, 0. Curtis, J. Wilson, and Cator. The Judge, in his address to the jury, remarked that, although more* cases were awaiting here than he usually found in Nelson, yet none of them, he was glad to say, were of a serious character. Thomas Pearse was charged with assaulting a constable, named Harper. The prisoner had been apprehended for secreting seamen belonging to the Sir Allan M'Nab, and was being conveyed to the lock-up, when he violently assaulted Harper by kicking him in the breast. Sentenced to fourteen days' imprisonment, with hard labour.

Joseph Sones was charged with stealing sundry articles of wearing apparel from his employer, Mr. E. Snow. The prisoner pleaded guilty. Sentenced to two years' imprisonment, with hard labour.

Edward Sill, alias Samuel Osborne, was charged with stealing a cash-box from the premises of Mr. Symons, in Trafalgar-street - The evidence in this case was all of a circumstantial character, but the jury, after about ten minutes' deliberation, found the prisoner guilty. „ Sentenced to two years' imprisonment,, with hard labour.

On the termination of the criminal sittings, some civil business was done of a routine character, but three cases which were awaiting trial had to be postponed until the next session, in consequence of the Judge having to leave for Auckland the next mormng by the steamer.