SUPREME COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 38, 21 February 1901, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

Wf.dnksday, February 20, — Bel'oro Mis Honor Mr. Justice Ccno'ly The pitting of the Supremo Court were opr-rod a*; the Court House on Wednesday morning. The i'o'lowing Grand Jur,' were t apanflled ;—Mossra. Jas. Paul (Forsman), S. W. Shaw, W. J. Khsw, W. J. il'ew, 11. Price, T. Avp.vy, E. SnowItiii, C. H. Burp?ss, 0. T. Mills, J. A. Mcintosh, G, P.amson, J. Sanderson, IA, D. Grey, H. N. Goldwater, M, I I'rassr, A. R. Arnold, T. Fnrlonj?, jur* ; , |(t. DraMa, A. E. Sykes, J. H. ICingsley, D. McAllum, W. A. Oollis. In charging the Grand Jury, His HoTxjrsci.idJs v-ao c- j .ri:-iii?'y s'lti-sf'tctary seeing that this (~./!•.'•; had not sat for five months, and darihf> the whole of that period therfi should be only one charge of on offonce of sufficient importance to bo sent for trial to ths Sjupveme Court. On tho other hand it was rather to bo regretted that twentjbhreo gentlemen of the Grand Jivy, md he did not know how many of the Common Jury, should be taken from their homes and businessesfor so small a matter. The only case for trial was one of arson— setting fire to a building at Stratford on 30th September oa the premiss of the prisoner, who was ». storekeeper and photographer. Assuming that the fire' was wilfully caused the evidence against the prisoner was of a very peculiar character. When he waz seat for on the night in quss tion he statod, in reply to a question - that ho left the shop at 10 p.m. That statement w?s proved to be true. The man alio suggested tV><- t'-e -•' >ca was set on fire by someone who had got iato the building through a window. It was pointed out to him that it was impossible to have gained access by that meano, and prisoner then suggested that someone had a duplicate key,] Several witnesses has stated there wera two keys, bu*i what had become of them was not known, Then, again, thena was the question of motive to be considered, It was proved that he had no inturance on the shop, and as the Jury were probably aware, wilful or suspicious fires generally turned out to b* on placed over-insu rd ; The constable who search el the prisoner's heuse found a considei able qumtity of flour, tea, and other goods—po&S'bly more than a man was likely to have in his private house. That, of course,, was a su&pieious circumstance, and although uninsured he had previously attempted to insure for £2OO, but for home reason the insurance was not effec ! ad. There was also no doubt that the prisoner was in difficulties, but what berefit he would gain from the fire it was hard to | say.

Auout a quarter past one the Grand Jury returned into court having thrown out tho Bil), and the accused was discharged. HORSE STEALING. Ernest N. Johns, who had pleaded guilty in the lower Court to a charge of horse stealing, was brought up for sentence.

i Mr. Weston appeared for the prisoner and called witness os to character.

E. Dockrill (Mayor of Now Plymouth) said he had known prisoner for about 5 years, and always considered him a steady industroius youtb. Rev. F. G.Evans bad known prisoner for about three yoirs, and had formed the highest opinion of his character both as a volunteer and a civilian.

O.tpkain Ok?y gave si-uilar evidonc?. Mr.'Weston stated the prisoner was only 19, and would, with the assistance of his relatives, pay tbe value of tho horsf, repaying his relatives out of earnings.

In reply to His Honor, Mr. Weston said prisoner obtained ,£5 5s for tho horse.

The Probation Officer's report was put in. His Honor, addressing tho prisoner, sa'-d he was vory sorry to sea him iu such a position, and reprimanded him for making a false statement. As he was a young man and had recaivol an excellent character, he would be admitted to probation for 12 months, He wenld have to repay the amount received by him for the horse within 3 months, and the costs of the pros .cution within 6 month,?. At the qame time he warned him of the consequences of any further unlawful act, as the conviction would remain recorded against him.

His H»nor directed the return of thi how to the rightful owner.

This concluded the criminal busine=s, Civil business will be takon. on Friday at 11 o'clock, whan tho case of Mathioson v. Mathjeson will be h/wd. Tho case of Blaikstack v. Bhik<t ick in also set dawn for Friday, and tint o p Milne v. Montgomery for Monday.