Supreme Court.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 179, 2 August 1904, Page 2

Supreme Court.

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 1. The Supreme Court, in criminal sittings, opened to-day before Mr Justice Cooper. There are thirteen prisoners, the most serious ease being a charge against John llarr oi the murder of Hobertson by shooting. Walter Augustus SmooMry, for theft and false pretences at Masterton, was sentenced to two years. Prisoner had a large number of previous convictions. George Broome, architect, for forgery, was admitted to two years' probation. John Mills, alias Henderson, who has served previous terms, was foi forgery sentenced to nine months. Alex. Findlaygot nine months' additional for escaping from custody at Marlborough. John Thorpe, for theft, got two years. James Wilson, grievous bodily harm, got three years. Arthur Rawson and James Atkinson pleaded not guilty to breaking into a dwelling at Khandallah, but guilty of stealing from a dwelling. His Honour said the present charges were part of others for which Atkinson had received three years imprisonment, and Rawson twenty-one months. In consideration of that he would pass a sentence of 18 months, to run concurrent with the sentences already being served. Hugh Thomas Mull-in and Henry Birney, alias Huglics, for stealing articles from the steamer Rotoiti, were sentenced to nine months and six months respectively. Charles Frederick Smith pleaded guilty to having on Jujie 29th, at Khandallah, robbed Mary Connolly of £5 4s in money, two rings, and two brooches-, with violence, from the person. His Honour characterised the offence as a very extraordinary one. If there were many such men about, he observed, the community would not be worth living in. The Court would not'be merciful; it would be just. Ha had power to order imprisonment lor life, and to order flogging. He thought it would bo better to give a long sentence without the flogging. The prisoner was sentenced to seven years' hard labour, Michael John Fitzgerald and Wil'lmm Barry wcro acquitted on charges of assault, with intent to rob, and ordinary assault. CHRiSTCHUHCH, August 1. In the Supreme Court Dominic Donnelly and James Barket, charged with assault and robbery of £IOO, were acquitted after the Jury had been out for three hours. Fanny Baind was sentenced to six months' imprisonment for forging a cheque for £5 13s.