SUPREME COURT.—CRIMINAL SITTINGS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5240, 9 January 1878, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.—CRIMINAL SITTINGS.

Tuesday, January 8. (Before his Honor Chief Juatica Prendergast.) FINE REMITTED. W. C. Chatfield, architect, who was fined £5 on the previous day for failing to attend as a "rand juror, waited on his Honor to explain the reason of his absence, which he stated arose through a misconception of the date.—The fine was remitted. SENTENCES. Daniel Burke, 25, who had been the previous day found guilty of stealing £2O at Masterton, was brought up for sentence. Prisoner, after the usual intimation, said he had no excuse to offer, but asked the Court to take into consideration the fact that he was already undergoing a term of imprisonment for stealing a watch. This, he said, was part of the offence for which he had been found guilty on the previous day. He had always borne a good character, and was never previously in custody. Joseph Hagarty, boarding-house keeper, Willis-street, spoke favorably of accused, whom he had known for ten years. His Honor : Daniel Burke, the fact of your having been in the country for a considerable period, and satisfactorily showing that you were not an associate of bad characters, but have earned your living by honest means, is one which I will take into consideration. The sentence of the Court is that you be imprisoned for six calendar months, with hard labor, to commence at the expiration of the term you are now serving. Thomas Williams, 35, found guilty of stealing from a tent, said he had been fourteen or •fifteen years in the colony, during which time he had worked honestly for his living, and had never been convicted of any offence against the laws of the country. His Honor ; The sentence of the Court is that you be kept in the public prison, Wellington, for nine calendar months, with hard labor. Thomas Freeman, 29, also found guilty of larceny, called no witnesses as to his character, but stated that he had never been charged with dishonesty. His Honor ; I am informed by the keeper of the gaol that you have been frequently convicted for drunkenness, and that seems to be the worst known against you. I may say both to you and to Williams that cases of this kind repeated will be severely dealt with. The sentence of the Court is that you be imprisoned for nine months, with hard labor. TRUE BILL. The Grand Jury found a true bill against James McDougall, for assault with intent. Having completed the calendar, his Honor thanked the Grand Jury for their services, which were then dispensed with. OBTAINING MONEY BY FALSE PRETENCES. William John Lawrence was indicted for having, on the 21st December, obtained from Horace Ames, publican, of the Upper Hutt, £3 by means of a valueless cheque. Mr. Hutchison appeared for the prisoner. The Crown Prosecutor narrated the circumstances of the case, from which it appeared that accused went to Mr. Ames’ hotel and declared his intention of remaining for a few days. Having occasion to make a payment, he asked prosecutor for a blank cheque, and wrote out a cheque for £3 on the National Bank of New Zealahd, which he passed to Mr. Ames. Mr. A men gave evidence, and also the ledger-keeper at the National Bank of New Zealand, who testified that prisoner had no account at the bank. Mr. Hutchison sought an acquittal on the ground that the charge of wilful false pretences had not been sustained. The jury returned a verdict of guilty. Lawrence was further charged with having, on the 25th December, obtained from Charles James Hughes, of the Melbourne Hotel, £2 Bs. Cd., by means of a valueless cheque, Mr. Hutchison defended.

•Mr. Hughes deposed that on the evening of the day in question accused called at his hotel and remarked to witness that he owed him for some drinks, at the same time asking it he could give him a blank cheque on the National Bank of New Zealand. Witness gave him a blank form, which he filled in for £2 Bs. 6d., and asked witness to cash it, remarking that it was perfectly right. Witness did cash it, and it was subsequently dishonored. The jury brought in a verdict of guilty, hut recommended prisoner to the merciful consideration of the Courf on account of his youth and the fact that he had been found guilty of a previous offence. His Honor said he could not understand a person being entitled to consideration because he was guilty of two offences. However to what favorable circumstances might be adduced on prisoner's behalf he would give due consideration. UTTERING A VALUELESS CHEQUE. Edward Tyler was indicted with having, on the 10th September, obtained from Benjamin Cohen, jeweller, Willis-street, one set of studs, two solitaires, aad a collar-button by means of a valueless cheque. Mr. Hutchison appeared for the accused. Mr. Cohen deposed that prisoner called at his shop on the day in question, and purchased the articles mentioned, giving in payment for the same a cheque on the Bank of Australasia for the sum of £3 16s. Witness paid the cheque into his account, and it was returned with the endorsement, “ No account.” For the defence Mr. Hutchison submitted that the cheque was given subsequent to the purchase, and the goods were not obtained by means of the cheque. The jury found accused guilty, and he was remanded for sentence until the following morning. ASSAULT WITH INTENT. James McDougall was indicted for having, on the 22nd October, at Masterton, been guilty of three offences. The counts were, (1) assaulting one Isabella Collins with intent to commit a rape ; (2) attempting to commit an unnatural offence ; and (3) committing an indecent assault. Prisoner, who was undefended, pleaded not guilty. . From the evidence adduced it appeared that accused was tramping through Masterton on the 22nd October, and met a little girl named Isabella Collins, two years of age, and behaved indecently towards her. His conduct was witnessed by a farmer, who gave information to the police. Accused was found guilty oh the third count, and remanded for sentence until the following morning. The Court then rose.