SUPREME COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5080, 5 July 1877, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

CRIMENAi. SITTINGS. Wednesday, Jolt 4. (Before his Honor the Chief Justice). The Court sat at ten o’clock. SENTENCES. Prank Broughton, found guilty of embezzling the moneys of his employers, Messrs. Donald and Pascoe, brewers, was brought up for sentence. Prisoner being asked if he had anything to say, stated that the money which he had been found guilty of embezzling was spent by him on behalf of Messrs. Pascoe, with the object of increasing their business and generally promoting their interests. Mr. Elliott, of the Immigration department, Hn Deavill, and Mr. Hall gave prisoner 'an excellent character as a man who had held positions of trust, and had always conducted himself as an honest, steady, and reliable man. His Honor observed that the offence with which prisoner had been convicted was not a light one. It was not simple embezzlement, but embezzlement combined with falsification of accounts. In consequence, however, of the excellent character given by the witnesses called by the prisoner, the sentence would be much less severe than it otherwise would have been. His Honor then ordered prisoner to be imprisoned and kept to hard labor for twelve calendar months. George Bentham Ward, found guilty of embezzling the moneys of his employers, Messrs. J. and H. Barber, was sentenced to twelve months’ hard labor. FRAUDULENT BANKRUPTCY. Charles Grey was charged with a breach of the Fraudulent Debtors Act, in not discovering to the trustee administering his estate for the benefit of his creditors certain property, and with removing certain goods within four mouths of his bankruptcy. Mr. Izard appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Gordon Adlan for the prisoner, who pleaded not guilty. .Mr. Willmer, Deputy-Registrar of the Supreme Court, produced prisoner’s declaration of insolvency, filed on the 31st May last, also his statement of liabilities and assets, and other documents. Mr. R. Hart, solicitor, &c., deposed to the declaration of insolvency produced having been signed by prisoner in witness’s presence. W. H. Quick, solicitor, deposed to the affidavit attached to the list of liabilities and assets being sworn before him by the prisoner. A clerk from Messrs. Hart and Buckley’s, identified prisoner’s signature to other documents in connection with his bankruptcy. Mr. Allan, Registrar o! the Supreme Court, deposed to attending a meeting of creditors of Charles Grey, held in the Supreme Court buildings on the 7th June, at 11 o’clock. No creditors were present and no debts were proved. The meeting was adjourned, and another was held subsequently, at which Mr. N. J. Isaacs was appointed trustee. The Gazette notice that Charles Grey was unable to meet his liabilities was put in evidence.

Nathan John Isaacs, merchant, identified prisoner’s handwriting to the declaration of insolvency and to the statement of assets and liabilities, and deposed to having been elected trustee at a meeting of creditors, at which Mr. T. W. Young was elected chairman. Witness proceeded to say that a list of prisoner’s stock, &c., was produced at the meeting, and he was asked if he had any other goods than those enumerated in the list which he had filed. He said he had some fe.w things, and named them: a bag of flour, two cases of jam, and a few other items, about four different kinds of things altogether ; these goods, he said, were at Mr. Atkinson’s, in Tory-street. He led me to believe that there were no other goods but those he had mentioned. Witness sent for a man named Purdy to take possession, and wont to Atkinson’s house accompanied by Detective Farrell. A large quantity of goods were found there; 14 or 15 tins of lollies, 2 cases of jam, 2 wedding cakes, several glass bottles filled with confectionery, a clock, a gold watch and chain, studs and other jewellery, several dozen knives and forks (electro-plate), glass centrepieces, ornamental vases, a very large family Bible, a quantity of table linen, &c. There was altogether about £6O worth of stuff. Prisoner never informed witness that those things were at Atkinson's.

A number of other witnesses were examined, and repeated the evidence given at the preliminary examination at the Resident Magistrn' Is Court.

v. Allan then raised the question whether ■k.vas a case to go to the jury. He im™~~pciKaed the indictment on several technical grounds, which were being argued when the Court adjourned till next morning. The jury were discharged for the night.