SUPREME COURT.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 745, 4 June 1853, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

Wednesday, June I, 1851. The Quarterly Session of the Supreme Court for the despatch of Criminal business was held on Wednesday, before His Honor Chief Juslicc Marlin, The following gentlemen were sworn as the Grand Jury ; Alexander Kennedy Esq., Foreman ; J. W. Bain, W. Rrodie, A. Clark, P. Dignan, T. S. Forsailh, W. S. Grahame, J. Gray, J. A. Gillillan, S. Kemplhornc, J. Macky, W. Mason, 11. Matson, I). Nathan, J. O'Neill, T. Palon, J, Salmon, W. I. Taylor, and J. Woodhouse Esqrs. His Honor briefly addressed the Grand Jury, remarking that unhappily he could not congratulate them now, as he had done on former occasions, on (he entire absence of crime, a murder having been committed since the last sitting of the Court, the perpetrators of which had not yet been discovered. There were two cases appearing for trial at the present Session, one a serious case of slabbing; the other one the evidence in which would require their attention somewhat particularly. After the Grand Jury had retired to their room (he witnesses in (lie case of the Queen v Cooper, (the slabbing case al the Bay of Islands) were called, hut did not appear. jThe AttorneyGeneral (lien staled to the Court that he of course could not proceed, as the witnesses wore not present, and although the depositions had been received, yet recognizances had not hern taken, or at all events, forwarded. He could only suggest that (he Court should communicate to the Resident Manistratc at the Ray of Islands its opinion on the subject, His Honor said that, independently of what may he done by the Executive Government, it was right that (he Registrar should by direction of the Court inform the Resident Magistrate that tlie depositions had come to hand, Iml no recognizances, and that this very serious case could not he proceeded with. It was a painful matter, and one which the Court could not pass over without great concern. The Grand Jury having found a (rue Bill against Johanna Anson, on a charge of stealing money, His Honor informed them that, in consequence of the non-attendance of the witnesses in the other case to which he had referred, it could not come before them, and he was therefore enabled to discharge them from further attendance. Johanna Anson was then placed al the bar charged with having on (he 28th February, stolen a purse containing Al. 15s. in gold and silver coins from the house of Simeon Shayle, a pensioner residing at Onehunga. Mr. Whitaker appeared for Ithc defence. The trial occupied a considerable time, hut the facts involved no point of public interest. After a careful summing up, by His Honor, of the evidence, (which was wholly circumstantial, and in some particulars conflicting), the Jury returned a verdict of “ Not Guilty.” The prisoner, Cooper, charged with stabbing at the Bay of Islands, was then discharged by proclamation and the proceedings of IheCriminal Session terminated.