CRIMINAL SITTINGS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2585, 4 July 1881, Page 3

CRIMINAL SITTINGS.

[By Telegeaph.] Wellington, Jnly 4. The Supreme Court criminal session commenced this morning. Judge i Richmond in his charge to the Grand Jury, said he anticipated that he would have been able to refer to the absence ‘ of any serious crime, but he feared that in the stabbing case the injuries would prove fatal.. It was probable that the case would ( have to stand over to next session. Other cases he said were of an ordinary nature, except the; charge against the late Superintendent of the Wellington. Asylum, for ill-treating a patient, would be heard before a special jury on next. A true bill ‘ was found against Dickens for larceny. Chbistchubch, J uly 4. At the Supreme Court this morning, Judge Johnston regretted that he was • not able to congratulate the jury on any decrease in crime, which according to the population, was now greater here than in England. Much of this was due to the drinking habits of the community, and to the incomplete nature of the' penal ■ system of the colony; more especially as affecting classification of prisoners. John Murphy was brought up, and judgment of the Court of Appeal being read, his original sentence of four year’s penal servitude was ‘repeated. John Scott, for forgery and uttering, was sentenced to.,twa years.. . 1..;,;-.. : , .DljNEfO,; July 4. The Chief Justices’charge in opening the Criminal Sittings, merely referred to indictments for. hearing—Moritzon, convicted at.iast’sittings lor embezzle- - ment, and whose cpnviction has been affirmed by the. Appeal Court, made a long statement, complaining that at the trial, J udge Gillie?, had improperly ruled as to the rights of his counsel to cross examine witnesses, which ruling prejudicially affected his ease. He asked the Court to suspend passing . sentence until a; petition, wnicli hid been numerously signed,respecting him had gone before the. Governor. The Chief Justice deferred sentence until Thursday. ■