SUPREME COURT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8836, 12 June 1907, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

' F, liners ton session of the above opened yesterday before His Honor Mr Justice Grand Jury empanelled was afnUovrs! —Foreman G. A. Precco, J. A v‘ p. Moivlcm, A. Pickering, A. J. Arnold, T. Kastin, P. Sollitt, D. MatheZ.n P. P. Aiken, J. Rogers, W. A. BrovrnB. Vallindor, W. Sherbourno, J. \cGill, J. Stubbs, D. G. Monrad, F. nohuon, E. Warburton, T. Lancaster, ’1 Korslake, 0. 11. Porritt, F. Strachan, rtf. F. Dunvard, His Honor, in addressing tho_ Grain 1 j u ry, said there were a considerable number of cases on tho list, but none was ef a very serious nature. There were two toxual cases on tho list, but this was no exception to the rule, for in all the .districts throughout the Colony there were surges of this description. It was a Regrettable thing, and showed that there 0s something wrong in our civilisation. True bills wore found in the following (, Cross and B. Morse, theft; A. Lovelock, otias Gordon forgery; Richard Daly, tieamy ; L. Mi Murray, cattle stealing; C. ijran, breaking and entering and theft; C. Duncan and L. M. Murray, assault and rabbery; P. Brosnahan, false pretences; i McKee, indecent assault. No bill in C. jfcKay, alleged theft; J. Person, alleged assault with intent to commit an offence; djniuel Teas, alleged perjury. F. Cross and B. Morse were charged with to theft of a watch and two brooches, valm £i, from the dwelling of Mrs O. Larsen, jiimerston, on April 20th. Both accused pleaded guilty. Cross asked to be given Another opportunity to reform. He stated that lie had left Sydney eight months age to get away from his old companions and to lead a better life. His Honor then read out a list of convictions against accused for theft in various parts cf Australia. In addressing accused, he said that- although he appreciated the desire of accused to reform, still ho would have to be punished, A sentence of two years was then inflicted. ’ jip Wilford appeared tor B. Morse, and asked that accused bo admitted for probation, as it was his first off once. Police Reports were also favorable. His Honor said that he was satisfied he was tempted by the other accused Cross, incused had been given an excellent character by his late employers, and tak■m„ into consideration that he is a young man, he would be admitted to probation for eighteen months. He would have to pay the costs, £G, by instalments. 1 Albert Lovelock, alias Gordon, was Charged with that on tho 23rd April, at Wellington, ho did forge a Post Office order for the sum of £G 12s 6d, and further, knowing tho order to ho forged, ho dealt with the same. Accused pleaded Honor said that accused had already been convicted in Dunedin for the same offence, and that was not sufficient warning. This offence was far too common. Ho was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. Accused left the box with a bright -Einile on his countenance. Eiehard Daly was charged with that, on the iffth April, at Foxton, ha did go through tho form of marriage with one A, M.°Firancll. Mr Loughnan, appeared for tho Crown, and Mr Innes for accused, who pleaded not guilty. Scrgt. Stagpoolo produced a certificate cf marriage witn Emily Cooper in January 1895. Mr Innos objected to the certificate coing in as it was doubtful whether it was Hubert or lliclvavd Daly. His Honor said it was a gross piece of carelessness, and the accused would have to be acquitted. It was a pity that tho case would have to fall through through a m-oss piece of carelessness on the part of°somo official. Accused was then discharged. ... Christopher Rynan was charged with breaking and entering the house of A. D. Scott at Halcombe on April Ist and stealiag a gold ivatch and £7 • Mr Loughnan prosecuted and Mr Harden appeared for accused, who pleaded not guilty. W. G. Grantham, of Bulls, stated that accused had worked for him at Bulls, and that ho left to go to Haloombe. A. D. Scott deposed that ho left his house for some time locked up, and in one of the rooms was a watch and £7. When ho came back he found the place disarranged. There was a bottle under one of the beds that had contained beer. J. A. Lukashefski, proprietor of Halite Hotel, deposed to seeing accused at the hotel. He asaed for the loan of os, Which was refused. He left ddring the night with two bottles of beer. Detective Siddlss gave evidence as to accused having disappeared from Halcombo during the night, and having purchased a ticket at Greatford for Hawera. He had money in his possession when arrested. . J. Eosaer deposed to passing- accused on the morning after tho theft. He asked the wav to the station, and gave witness a coat”to take back to tho hotel for him. There was a watch in the pocket, but counsel for the Crown admitted that this was not the stolen watch. The stationmaster at Greatford admitted selling a ticket to a colored man on the sumo morning. Eis Honor, in addressing the jury, said that (he ease was based on circumstantial evidence, and they would have to take this into consideration. There was no direct evidence to connect the prisoner with the crime except that a Dottle of beer was found under the bed, and this was not produced. In any case it would probably bo an ordinary beer bottle; also that he was without funds at the hotel and that he had money in the morning to pay for his ticket. , The jury, after a short retirement, found Accused not guilty. Patrick Brosnahan was charged witn obtaining £5 from T. C. Keeting at Linton bv means of false pretences, en April 21st. 'Thomas Keeling deposed that the accused and himself were working together at a flaxmill. Accused had been trying to sell a chain, which he said was gold, the same bearing the hall mark. Witness purchased the chain, paying £5. He subsequently found that the chain was not worth 18d. W. Constance and J. B, Wishart gave evidence stating that the chain was brass, and worth Is 3d or Is Gd. The pendant was gold, and worth 8s Gd. The chain was marked X5-eavat, and would be considered gold by an ordinary person. For the defence J. Hinds said ho thought the chain was gold, and offered accused £3 10s and another chain for it. Witness thought the chain was worth more than £5. Tho jury returned a verdict of guilty, and prisoner was remanded until this morning for sentence.