SUPREME COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 193, 13 February 1912, Page 5

SUPREME COURT.

CHRISTCHURGH SESSIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christehureh, Last Night. The criminal sittings of the Suprems Court were opened this morning, befors Mr. Justice Denniston.

His Honor, in addressing the grand , jury, referred to the greater extent and seriousness of the calendar than was usually the case in this part of the Dominion. A large proportion of the list was, however, not of a very serious character, and the jury should not find much difficulty in dealing with it. Referring to the charge of manslaughter againet Reginald Blunden, his Honor said that if death had been caused through neglect of duty, accused was guilty of manslaughter. It a man drove a motor-car through the city he was bound to acquire reasonable skill, and he was also bound to take reasonable care. The case in question, however, was not one of some young blood dashing through a crowd and risk' ing people's lives. If the jury were satisfied that the evidence was clearly inconsistent with guilt, they would be justified in throwing out the bill, but if they were satisfied there was a prima facie case, they must bring in a true bill. His Honor entreated them not to | / let private feelings influence their find* ' i»g.

The jury brought in a no bill against Blunden, and true bilk in the other caseß.

A woman, whftshad pleaded guilty in the lower court to concealment of birth, was ordered to Jcome up for sentence when called on. His Honor said that he would bring the matter of these offences before the notice of his brother judges in Welliitgton next month, and perhaps they would come to\sorne definite conclusion in regard to them. In England for many years, the seneence had been 18 months' imprisonment. Another woman' pleaded guilty to- acharge of concealment of birth, and was committed to the Salvation Army Heme for five months.

Lewis Tom Chapman, a youth, pleaded guilty to having indecently assaulted a girl. His Honor said the offence waß of a mßty class, but was not of a serious . nature. The case would have been better met by the sound thrashing of prisoner on the part of his father. He (his Honor) was not going to send prisoner to gaol. Prisoner would be ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. James Robertson Crowley, who came up for sentence for breaking and entering and theft, hanoW his Honor a statement, which said he had led an honest and God-fearing life. Prisoner was admitted to twelve months' proba- ' tion on condition that he abstained from partaking of liquor absolutely, and paid £3 towards the costs of the prosecution within six- monthsi

George Praser and Geo. Poster were convicted, on Beveral charges of theft from the v person at Wellington. On one -' indictment the accused were each sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment. ' 0n the other sentence was suspended. Colin Cameron was'sentenced'to two years' imprisonment 'for theft from the • • person. ( \ John Sylvester Hogan was convicted ' on a. charge of breaking and entering and theft and found guilty on four charger of forgery and uttering, and was tenced to five years' imprisonment.

DUNEDIN SESSIONS.

1 Dunedin, Last Night. At the. Supreme Court to-daj, Lindsay Templeton Bell was convicted on two'' 1 charges of false pretences, and was sen- •■ tenced to three years' imprisonment, with hard labor. This concluded the criminal sittings.