SUPREME COURT.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 248, 21 March 1888, Page 6

SUPREME COURT.

Auckland, March 1G to 19. CATrLE-ETKAMNG. — In the case of John MeGechin, charged with this offence, tho jury brought in a verdict of "guilty," and His Honor deferred passing sentence, pending tho hearing of a second charge against the same prisoner. Assault. — John Ryan was charged with that he did on tho 15th February last unlawfully assault and do actual bodily harm to Joseph Albert McGrath.--Ptisoner, who was not represented by counsol, pleaded not guilty. — Tho Crown Prosecutor stated that tho assault with which prisoner was charged was an aggravated one, and was committed upon a detective stationed at Waipu. On the evening of February 151 h, McGrath hoard a disturbance in a billiard-room, nnd heaul tho voice of the accused rai.sod in an excited manner. McGiulh went into the room with the intention of stopping the disturbance, and saw the accused and several otheie there. He remonstrated w ith tho accusod, who used obscene language, and when McCrath's back was turned struck him wsveial blows on the head with a billiard cue. Mcd'rath then became insensible, nnd had to be 1 carried away nnd put to bed. These par- ■ ticulnis were deposed to by Joseph Albert McGrath. 11 0 could not say who struck tho blows, and had no recollection of what took place lor a few days nfterwaids. Ho had a cut over his right eye and a bruite on tho left side of the head, and was confined to bed for four or five days. — (George Augustus Emppon, postmaster at Waipu, and Win, Marshall, nropi ietor of the billiaid saloon, deposed to having seen McGrath struck by the accused, and Dr. Montaino gave evidence as to the injuries sustained by McOiath. — The accused stated in defence he knew nothing about the assault. —The jury, without retning, pionounced aveidictof " guilty," and His Honor sentenced prisoner to twelve months' hard labour. Lahcknv. — Amokeiha native, wa^charged with tbu theft of 28 sheets of coirugated iron, the property of John McNaughton, and theie was also a second charge against the pi isonei- of receiving the same property knowing the same to have been stolen. Prisoner who pleaded " not guilty," was defended by Mr Moss, and Mr. H. Williamson conducted the prosecution on behalf of the Crown. Mr Hammond interpreted. A large number of ■witnesses were examined, and the case occupied the Court all the morning. It appeared that certain iron was stolen from a house at Tauranga, I and that certain iron was found under the prisoner's house. One witness — Kakawa — stated that he sold three out of four sheets of iron (produced) to the accused. — Counsel having addressed the Court, flu Honor summed up, and the juiy returned u verdict oi "not guilty." Prisoner was then discharged from custody. OrF.srxo a Mail Bau.— The charge of opening a mail bag preferred against Edmund Kelly occupied tho Supremo Court all yesterday afternoon. The jury thought that it had not been conclusively dispro\ed that accused did not drop the mail bag and that someone else opened it, and returned a verdict of "not guilty." Prisoner was then remanded, there being three other indictments preferred against him. Post Letters. — This morning Edmund Kelly was charged with stealing two post letters from Her Majesty's mail on the 6th December. The prisoner, who was defended by Mr Mcs, pleaded not guiloy. Mr H. Williamson conducted the prosecution on behalf of the Crown, and in opening stated that it would be shown that two lettors were posted and delivered to the accused. It would be proved that the carrier received the mail, that he neglected todeliver it, and that when asked about it he gave an account which was not true.— Evidence wis given by J. Galbraith. postmaster at Te Puke, who deposed that on the 6th December a moil for Matata was delivered to the prisoner. — Henry Boyle, assistant to Mr Galbraith, deposed that he made up the mails for Matata on December 6th, and gave them to the accused. He recognised an addressed " Mrs Gordon, Opotiki," and also a letter bill included in the mail, but could not say that certain wrappers produced were included in the mail in question, owing to no date being affixed. — Christina McPherson, post - mistress at j Mtitata, deposed that on the 6th December she received from the accused mails from Tauranga and Matata. He stated that he did not get a mail from Te Puke, and she pointed out that it was mentioned on tho way-bill. In answer to Mr Moss, witness said she could not say if prisoner stated that he had lost the Te Puke mail. — Samuel Elliott, post-master at Opotiki, deposed that on the 7th December he received from the accused two packets of mails. He recognised two letters which ought to have been received from the accused, but were not received. — James R. Matthews deposed that he posted at Maketu on the 6th letters (produced) addressed to the Catholic priest at Opotiki, and Mr Thurston, of Maketu. — Evidenco'was also given by tho two lastnamed, who stated that they never received the letters in question. — Constable Kavanagh and Henry Stonell deposed to having made search for miseing letters, and picked up the letters produced. They were torn in small pieces, and spread over a distance of about thirty-six chains. —Sergeant Cahill deposed to having arrested the accused at Opotiki on the 23rd. — Job. H. Sheath deposed that it was the duty of the accused to report the Joss of any letters to the nearest postmaster.—Mr Moss stated that he proposed to offer no evidence for the defence. He then addressed the Court, and submitted that it was probable that tho letters in question had not been pub into the prisoner's hands at all, or else that they had been lost. His Honor having summed-up the jury retired. Tho jury brought in a verdict of "not guilty" and the prisoner was discharged. Rape. — George Lemen, a man about fifty years of age, was charged with having committed this offence on the person of Sarah j Wilhelmtna Can*, a child six years of age, on the 26th February, 1888.— The prisoner, who was defended by Mr Humphreys, pleaded not guilty.— Evidence given in respect of this offence, which was alleged to have been committed at Warkworth, is unlit for publication. After nearly an hour's deliberation the jury returned a verdict of " not guilty." Prisoner was remanded, there being another charge in the same indictment against him. At the Supreme Court to-day, George Lcmen was acquitted on charges of rape and indecent assault. Harriet Dewson, charged with robbery from the person, and Honvy Lenihan with aiding and abetting, were found " not g'tilty," and discharged. The Court adjourned at 1.15 pan. till 10 a.m to-morrow, when it is expected the charge of cattle stealing against Foley and McGeehan will be taken. ■ ■ /

Newly-arrived American to. newsboy : " How marvellously cheap newspapers arc in London, lo be -sure. Wo have to pay more than double the price in New, York." Newsboy (extending his hand) : ({ You can pay doublo the price now, sir, if it will make you feel any more at home, sir."