COURTS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9364, 5 February 1909, Page 5

COURTS.

Per Press Association,

Wellington, February 4,

The grand jury at the Supreme Court to-day found no bill in the case qf Robert Charles Collins, who was charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of a man named Ferguson. It was alleged that on a Saturday night in December, Collins struck Ferguson a blow, from the effects of which he died. Oollius said Ferguson was making a disturbance and be merely pushed him and that as Ferguson was standing on the edge of the footpath aad was not sober he fell. James Kay Horsefield was. sentenced to two years’ hard labour for breaking and entering and thieving at Palmerston Noith. Samuel Beswick for cattle stealing (six charges) was sentenced to five years’ hard labour. David Herbert Oarvosso was sentenced to 12 months’ bard labour for forgery and uttering at Masterton. 9 Omrigio Tolley and Charles Henderson for six offences of breaking, entering, and thieving in Masterton and Carterton districts were each sentenced to seven years hard labour. Harry Heurickson, an elderly man, was sentenced to seven years hard labour for breaking, entering and stealing at Wellington (two charges). Mitford George Burgess, 21 years of age, pleaded guilty to . eleven charges of breaking, entering, and thieving in and around Wellington. It was shown'thafe there was a long list of convictions against the prisoner for offences committed in Australia. He was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment and declared an habitual criminal. Henry Williams alias Watson Harry, alias Fieuberg, was sentenced to five years hard labour for breaking, entering and stealing. Joseph Norman was charged with attempting fou November 20th to murder Alexander Armstrong, Governor of Wellington Terrace Gaol, where Norman, was a prisoner. Norman, it was stated, stabbed Mr Armstrong in the back of the neck with a chisel.- Had Mr Armstrong turned but a fraction of ah inch just before the blow was struck, it must have been fatal. The prisoner said he had no witnesses to call, he would not give evidence, and he did not oare anyhow Ever since he had been in gaol they had been trying to kill him with [gases and stuff they put ou his face. The jury found accused guilty of wounding and doing actual bodily harm with the intention of doing grievous bodily harm. His Honor, Mr Justice Cooper, said prisoner should be brought up on Monday for sentence and be examined by two doctors in the meantime to see if he was sane. Edward Richard Black admitted six charges of breaking, entering and stealing. It was shown that prisoner had served many sentences for serious crimes since 1898. He was sentenced to seven years’ hard labour and declared an habitual criminal. Frederick Arnold was convicted of common [assault and remanded for sentence. Edward John Searle, well-known as formerly lessee of Searle’s Hotel (now the Hotel Cecil) in Wellington, ana latterly as a restaurant proprietor, was found guilty of forging the name of W. T. Gilbert (his brother-in-law) to a cheque for £7. Searle said that Mr Gilbert had ou three occasions assisted him financially and had said Searle could draw on him if necessity 'arose, and that was why he drew the cheque. Searle was remanded till to-morrow for sentence.