SUPREME COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 150, 12 November 1912, Page 5

SUPREME COURT.

■' '"CHKKWMfiSCH SESSIONS:" " - i By Telegraph—Press Association. Chri&tchurch, Monday. The criminal sittings of the Supreme Court opened this morning, with twenty charges against fifteen persons. Mr. Justice Denniston commented on the usual crop of cases of assault on females. Referring to the charge against Dr. Russell, the Judge said that if the evidence of the principal witness were to be believed, it. clearly showed that ah illegal operation had been performed. Russell was well-known in the city and the case had been widely discussed, but he did not think this discussion was likely to prejudice the grand jnry, He added that in his opinion it was a clear prima facie case. ~ , Christchurch, Last Night. . The Supreme Court criminal sessions ... was opened to-day. The grand jury amongst the true bills brought in one against Dr. Chas. James Russell, for attempted abortion. Several prisoners. were sentenced. Edward Michael Wood, a ) Bumham escapee, was ordered to .be detained ,in gaol, for reformative purposes. ; Robert Dickson Warden and Lesjie En- j nesford Scollar were ordered to be sent ; back to Burnhain, as *9 also William M Duncan, alias Eriwa,ta Helen. Copland, on a chaise of theft i; dwelling, was ordered to come tto fer'-j sentence when, Galled upon; and further -1 to pay £3'3s towards the cost of thp mo- » ceedings. Wm. McCabe was sentenced to '{ five years' imprisonment for carnally 5 knowing his niece. Alexander Kennedy, ~ 16 years of age, on a charge of breaking 1 and entering, was ordered tocome up for j for sentence when' called upon. Maurice | Paul Nottingham, on ja. charge of forg- j ery, was similarly dealt' with and ordered 1 to refund,'£2, toother with £3 costs. * Leslie, Layton Smith, on, several charges' * of failing to account for money,-was .3 sentenced to nine months' imprison- ,< ment, concurrently; George Roche?plead-' < ed guilty to ,A charge of burglary, am} • j was sentenced to three imprison- • J ment. f , \ 'J DUSEDIN SESSIONS. , . Js Dunedin, Last Night, fj At'the Supreme Court to-day William James Gadsby .pleaded guilty to stealing j-'jj a keg of ale at Kaitangata. Prisoner ? was fined £lO and detained until the fine j was paid, the term of imprisonment not to exceed three months. James Stevens ! was charged with breaking and entering and stealing a tin of castor oil at Nasf by. The man pleaded in defence that he had left an intimation on a piece of wobtl that he had taken the oil. Accused was acquitted. A lad 17 years of age, named Thomas Collins, was charged with indecently assaulting a girl 12 years of age. The alleged assault was not an aggravated one, and the jury acquitted . the accused after a quarter of an hour's retirement. A young man named John James White was charged with robbing a man of a handbag and ss, and with' using personal violence. A charge of indecent assault was thrown out by the Grand .Jury. At the end of a quarter of an hour's deliberation the jury found accused guilty, but recommended him to mercy, as the offence was committed un- ' der the influence of drink. Sentence was deferred. / < ' 11