SUPREME COURT SITTINGS. Tuesday, September 1, 1846. Before Mr. Justice Chapman.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume II, Issue 114, 2 September 1846, Page 2

SUPREME COURT SITTINGS. Tuesday, September 1, 1846. Before Mr. Justice Chapman.

The following gentlemen were sworn in of the Grand Jury — Col. Wakefield, J.P., foreman; Major Baker, Mr. G. Baker, Mr. W. M. Bannatyne, Mr. K. Bethune, Mr. C. Clifford, JtP., Mr. J. C. Crawford, J.P., Capt. Daniell, J.P., Major Durie, J.P., Mr. W. Fitzherbert, Mr. W. Hickson, Mr. A. Ludlam, Mr. A. M'Doriald, Mr. S. Mocatta, Mr. T. M. Partridge, Mr. S. Revans, Capt. Sharp, Mr. R. Stokes, and Mr. R. Waitt. His Honor, in his charge to the Grand Jury, observed that the present unfortunately offered a contrast to the last sittings, as the cases were all of a grave and serious nature. In the case of O'Loughlan and Ovingdon, in order to meet some doubts which had been raised, the indictments had been prepared on different counts ; indictments had been -.drawn against two of -the prisoners for stealing, and against one tof, them for receiving the stolen property. If they thought there was sufficient evidence to satisfy them that there was a presumption of guilt against the prisoners, it would be their duty to find a bill leaving the matter to be cleared up before the Petty Jury. On the case of Hodges for rape, His Honor remarked that the heavy, punishment of death with which this offence was formerly visited, and which left no discretion to the Court to mitigate the sentence, had within the last few years been changed to transportation for life, a judicious alteration which rendered the punishment more certain, as it removed the reluctance which often existed in finding a bill when the punishment affected the life of 8 fellow creature. The Grand Jury then retired and found true bills against all the prisoners. At the conclusion of their labours the Grand Jury were informed that the Sisters had left Akaroa, and was daily expected in Wellington with Messrs. Greenwood and the prisoners who had committed a robbery on those gentlemen, and the necessary witnesses for the prosecution ; and as the postponement of this case to the next sittings of the Supreme Court would be attended with great inconvenience and expence to the prosecutors, the sittings of the Grand Jury would be adjourned to Monday next, by which time it was hoped the Sisters would arrive.^ - -,_,,..,.„.-,.,. We shall give a report of the trials in our next number.