SUPREME COURT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9071, 11 February 1908, Page 8

SUPREME COURT.

Press Association, Christchurch, February 11. : At the Supreme Court to-day, Benjamin O’Connell (Ghaka) was admitted to probation for • twelve mouths, and ordered to pay cost for assault with intent to commit a robbery. Other sentences were:— John Morrell six months for forgery ; William Morris, two years for forgery; Samuel .Bennett, aged 61 years, five years for breaking and entering, theft and forgery, and uttering, and he was declared to be an habitual criminal ; William Portelli, three months for breach of probation; David Courtenay, three years for theft from person; Samuel Arthur Maxton (Kaikonra) admitted to probation for false pretences; Frank Puddle fined £lO for common assault; Edgar Neate fined £lO for keeping a betting’house, Hans Wilson entered a formal plea of not guilty to a charge of murdering his wife at Addington on November 13th. He was acquitted on the grounds of insanity, and his Honour ordered that he should be kept in strict custody in the Sunnyside Mental Hospital until the pleasure of the Colonial Secretary was known. Dunedin, February 11. The following prisoners who have pleaded guilty in the lower court were sentenced by Mr Justice Williams this morning John Wells, horse stealing at Kae’s Junction, was admitted to probation for twelve months. William David Johnson, a member fo the Highland Rifles, for breaking and entering a house and intimidating the inmates, was admitted to probation for six months and ordered to pay 85s for damage done and costs of the|prosecution. James McLaren, for bicycle stealing was sentenced to twelve months’ imrpisonment ana declared to be an habitual criminal. John Brown for theft of. watches at Wellington in April, 1907, got twelve-'months’imprisonment. Caleb Thomas, for non-compliance with a probation order, got twelve months’ imprisonment.