SUPREME COURT SITTINGS. Wednesday, March 1, 1848. BEFORE MR. JUSTICE CHAPMAN.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 271, 4 March 1848, Page 2

SUPREME COURT SITTINGS. Wednesday, March 1, 1848. BEFORE MR. JUSTICE CHAPMAN.

The following gentlemen were sworn in of the Grand Jury : — C. Clifford, Esq., J. P., Foreman; Major R. Baker, J.P. ; Captain Daniell, J. P.; Messrs. Bethune, W. M. Bannatyne, W. Fitzherbert, J.P. ; A. Hort, J.P. ; G^Hunter, J. -Kelham, N. Levin, A. Ludlam, J.F. ; R. Park, R. Stokes, R. VVaitt, J. Wallace, and Col. Wakefield, J.P. Richard Smith was indicted fo?" having stolen certain articles of, wearing apparel and other property belonging to W. Stout. Mr. D. Wakefield, Crown-Solicitor, conduced the prosecution. W. Stout being sworn deposed, that on 14th January last he was lodging with the prisoner in Sydney Street ; on Saturday morning he missed some property ; he went to the house on Saturday morning, and opened his box ; missed a suit of black cloti-es, a grey taglioni, &c; saw the proper y safe on Thursday afternoon ; the box had been locked on Thursday and Saturday, and no force hadbeen used : he applied to the Police ; got a search-warrant, and searched Mr. Raine's bouse, where part of the property was found. The propei ty was produced and sworn to by , the prosecutor. »■» W. Shanks; was at work on board the Nelson ■With the prosecutor ; came on shore about half-past six o'clock to look for Smith to get the key: we found him later; Stout asked for the key, which Smith refused ; went' out alone, and did not see Stout again ; saw him next morning at half-past seven ; he opened his chest, and said he was robbed ; Smith denied having committed the robbery. R. Barry, Police sergeant, executed a search warrant on Sunday ; found the property produced ; Stout was there, and identified the property ; Zillwood, one of the Police force, apprehended the prisoner. - ' The prisoner was found, Not guilty.

John Richard Rains was indicted for the same offence. Mr. Wakefield, Crown-Solicitor, conducted the prosecution, and Mr. King was engaged for the defence. The evidence was of a similar description to that offered in the previous case, and the prisoner was acquitted.