SUPREME COURT. CRIMINAL SESSIONS. FRIDAY, JULY 4. (Before His Honor Judge Gillies.)

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 58, 12 July 1884, Page 6

SUPREME COURT. CRIMINAL SESSIONS. FRIDAY, JULY 4. (Before His Honor Judge Gillies.)

Attempted Ahson.— Michael Kirby was arraigned upon an indictment charging him with having attempted to burn down St. Andrew's Presbyterian School-room, at tho back of St. Andrew's Church, Symondsstreet, on the 23rd ult. — Prisoner pleaded not guilty.— Mr Williamson, Crown Solicitor, prosecuted, and stated particulars which will be fresh in tho recollection of reactors of tho Star.— The jury found the prisoner guilty. — Sentence : 5 years' penal servitude.

Cattle-stealing. — Taiapo, llori ITako, Kiwhi Mohi, and Mohi, aboriginal natives of the Whangaroa district, were arraigned upon an indictment charging them with having killed a red steer, tho property of Daniel Daly Hay 8, a settler. Mr H. Williamson conducted the prosecution ; Mr Earl dofendod tho prisoners. The evidence of the prosecutor and several natives wero taken, show ing that the steer was chased by a dog, and shot by several of them in tho alleged belief that tho steer was wild. The carcase was taken to tho native settlement, cut up, and salted. — Constable Moar deposed to arresting the prisoners on the charge. — The jury returned a verdict of guilty.— His Honor deferred sentence.

Cattle Stealing. — The four natives -\\ero brought up for sentence. — Mr Earl, in defence, made some remarks in favour of prisoners. — 1 tori Hako, being the ringleader, a\ as sontenced to six months' imp v isonment ; Taiapo to four months, as one of tho natives who fired ; and Riwhi Mohi and Mohi, father and son, who seemed to have been least activo in the o Hence, to be imprisoned until tho rising of tho Court.

Pekjuiiy. — John Grogan, hotol-keopcr, Mongonui, was. arrainged upon an indictment charging him with having committed wilful and corrupt perjury on tho 28th March of tho present year. — Piisoner pleaded not guilty. — Mr Williamson, Crown Solicitor, opened the case. — Mr lleskcth appeared in defence. — Henry W. Bishop deposed that he was the Resident Magistrate for the Bay of Islands district. He knew prisoner as the licenseo of tho Settlers' Hotel, Mongonui. IIo was in that position on the 2Sth March. Heard a charge on that day, in which prisoner was charged with supplying liquors in his licensed house on the Sunday. Tho information ■was laid by Constable Moar. — At the close of tho evidence of several witnesses, the prisoner made a statement upon oath which he (Mr Bishop) took down, and which was a denial of the charge, and that they could not have had beer in his hotel, as he had none in his house. He was convicted of the offence. — Cross-ex-amined by Mr ITesketh : Constablo James Wm. Moar, stationed at Mongonui, deposed to laying tho information against prisoner for a breach of the Licensing Act for selling beer to Jacob Christmann on Sunday, tho 23rd March. Prisoner sworo that ho did not supply any liquor in his hotel on that day either to Christmann er anyone else ; nor did he receive any money for liquor on that day. —Jacob Christmann, employed at the Mongonui saw-mills, deposed that he and a friend visited Grogan 's hotel on Sunday, March 23rd. Went in by the back entrance. Went into the barroom. Saw both Mr and Mrs Grogan there. Called for a bottle of English alo. Mr Grogan said he had none. Supplied draught beer. He shouted four long glasses, including one each for Mr and Mrs Grogan, Paid 2s to Mr Grogan. He was sure it Mas beer of some sort. He was perfectly sober. Had a second round supplied by Mr Grogan before he left. Philip Brady, blacksmith, and a friend then came in. Heard them ask for beer. Mi's Grogan icfuFed, but presently they were served by Mr Grogan. The criminal sittings at tho Supremo Court terminated on Saturday evening with the conviction of John Grogan, licensee of the Settlers' Hotel, Mongonui, for perjury. The main evidence in this caso appeared in Saturday's issue. No less than four witnesses swore distinctly that they were served with beer and liquor by Grogan in his hotel on Sunday, tho 23rd of March last, and that they paisl for the drinks. Thc?c facts wero denied on oath by Grogan. Mr JTeskcth made tho best possible defence for the prisoner, but the evidence M'a& too clear for Ins escape, and a verdict of guilty v as brought in by the jury. Mr He&koth •?licd for the leniency of the Court for the sake of prisoner's wife and live young children. His Honor having commented on the clearness of tho evidence, and the seriousness of tho crime, sentenced the piisoncr to five years' penal servitude. On hearing the sentence, tho -wife of the prisoner fainted and was carried out of Court.