DISTRICT COURT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 577, 8 March 1878, Page 2

DISTRICT COURT.

CRIMINAL CASES. THIS DAY. (Before His Honor District Juilsre Ward.) I ATTEMPTED KUI< TDK. Edward Rose was indicted for having, ! at Ofepnpo, on the nth February, attempted to commit suicide by cutting his : throat. The prisoner pleaded guilty. Sub-Inspector Smith stated that the wound was not yet healed. His Honor sentenced the prisoner to one months' imprisonment. SMOOTING AXD WOUNDING. James Seoit, a lad about 17 years of aLte, was indicted for on Christmas day, shooting and wounding a lad named Michael Vail, with intent to do grievous bodily harm. The prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mr. O'Meag'-er appeared for the prisoner, and stated that he was willing to plead guilty to a common assault. The Crown Prosecutor stated that he was willing to accept the plea. He had looked through the depositions, and did not believe that there was any malice intended. AYuliam F-riiusoti stated that he bad known the prisoner for 113 years, and that he had always borne a good character. His Honor said it was fortunate for prisoner that the Crotwi Prosecutor had taken so lfiiient a view of the matter, and being unable to pay a tin.'. In, would bind him over in his own recognisance for LSO. and one surety of L 23. to keep! tiie peaee for sis months. LAKC'ENV. Bridget Flaniiery was indicted with having stolen and taken away three knives of the value of 10s.; two'electroplated spoons, value 205.; two electroplated forks, value 205.; six pocket-handker-chiefs, value os.; one book, value 2s. Gd.; four towels, value (is.; two tea-spoons, value 45.; one cruet stand, value 30s. — all of the value of L 4 Bs. Gd., and the property of Thomas Procter. Prisoner pleaded guilty. Mr. O'M airher appeared for the accused, ana called John Lock, who stated that he knew tiie prisoner. She had been in his service", and had only lefr him to go to a better situation and higher ivages. W. G. Fillenl said that the prisoner ; had been in his service for three weeks. The only reason for her leaving was thai 1 she cut her hand severely.

Suit-Inspector Smith knew nothing against the prisoner. She had been in Oamarn for two years.

Mr. O'Meagher asked his Honor to deal as lightly as possible witli t!ie prisoner. She was but a young girl, She was just about to lie married, ami lie understood that tlie party was. notwithstanding tin: crime of which she had been •inilty, willing to marry her. It would be no improvement to her murals to send her to gaol.

George Harris said he had known th j risoner for ten months. He was still willing to marry her. To his Honor : He was at once prepared to marry her. His Honor : She (the prisoner) ought :o he very grateful to you.

Hi.-s Honor said that it was with .sorrow lie saw so young a girl in such a position. He could not make up his mind to send her to prison. He Imped she would remember her fortunate escape, and that it would be a warning to her. The best thing she could do was to go and get married at once. Tlie prisoner was discharged. PERJURY. Henry Andrews was indicted for having committed perjury in Iris evidence before'l'. W. Parker,'Esq.. R.M., upon the hearing of a certain information preferred by the said Henry Andrews agains: John Cogvin, for selling liquor contrary to the Licensing Act. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mr. O'Mcagher appeared for the prisoner.

The following gentlemen were empanelled as the jury : —James Ferris, Henry Fnller. W. S. Grev, James Jardine, Levi Gale, Isaac Johnson, Thos. Kennedy ('foreman), W. Ferguson, James Oliver, William Macintosh, Robert M'Ktriizie, and Edward Holland. The Crown Proseeutor briefly opened the case. Tiie evidence in this case has already been published at length in our columns, and may be briefly stated as follows: The accused, while giving evidence in the Resident Magistrate's Court in a case of sly-grog selling against John Cogvin, swore that the beer which had been supplied on the occasion was drawn by a beer engine, and that he saw the engine in question in a cupboard. Several witnesses were called to prove that there was no such beer engine in the said cupboard, it having been removed some time previously. Mr. O'Meagher addressed the jury on behalf of the prisoner, and Ins Honor having summed up, the jury retire), and shortly afterwards returned a verdict of

guilty. tlis Honor, in passing a sentence of 18 months' imprisonment with hard labor, said he entirely concurred in the verdict.