SUPREME COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 December 1918, Page 4

SUPREME COURT.

j AUCKLAND SESSIONS. ' By Telegraph*—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The criminal sessions opened to-day. The cases numbered 37, against 25 aceused.the charges fronging from theft to murder, attempted murder, and manslaughter. Mr. Justice Cooper remarked that the list, though for no apparent reason, was larger than any bsought before, the Grand Jury during the last two yearsA number ol the cases on the list had ; been adjourned till February on account I of the witnesses being sufferers from inI fluenza. These charges include murder and attempted murder. The following were sentenced:—Wilfred Martin, alias 'Baker, alias Ashfoi'd, pi .3 charges of forgery, uttering, and false pretences, also theft of a stallion and bridle, two years' imprisonment (concurrent) arid reformative treatment not xceeding three yearsThe recent series of burglaries in the city were recalled by the appearance of James Davern, Edward James McLelland. Charles Frederick IfcCormaclv, and Walter Nicholas Papesch, charged with breaking, entering, and theft. When asked if they had anything to say why sentence should not be passed, they all remained silent, with the exception of Davern, who said he had been instructed to tell the truth". The accused,, with the exception of Papesch, were declared habitual criminals, but, liaving regard to the fact that they weTe youths and that the offences had all been committed at the same time, they were sentenced to two years' imprisonment, it also being ordered that at the expiration of that period they be detained for reformative treatment for five years. His Honor placed Papesch, who did not participate in the proceeds of the robberies, on probation for three years, the terms to in accordance with the directions of tho probation officer. Accused were also ordered to contribute £5 towards the expenses of the prosecution, at tho rate of 1 per month. Other charges, regarding which pleas of not guilty were entered, will be heard to-morrow. On eleven ohaTge? of indecent assault on boys, Horace Holt, of Wbakatane, was sentenced to the maximum penalty of ten years' imprisonment. For burglary and theft at Whangarei, John Martin,- a Maori youth, was ordered reformative treatment not exceeding five years. " r '