SUPREME COURT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1797, 2 October 1888, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

Wellington, October 1,

The quarterly sessions of the Suprama Court opened this morning before Sir J. Prendergast, Ohief Justice. In his charge to the Grand Jury His Honor said that whilst the list was longer than had been usual lately, the majority of the cases were of the simplest character generally of a kind in which foolish tradesmen took valueless chequas. There was, however, cne case of unusual character, in which a person was charged with marrying the widow of a deceased brother, the ceremony being performed by a registrar, after declaration by accused that he believed there was no lawful impediment to marriage. In England and in this colony the fact that one of the contracting parties was the widow of a brother of the other contracting party was a lawful impediment, but the point to be discovered by the jury waj whether accuied believed there was such impediment. C»MSXCHtrRCH, October 1. The criminal s'ttiogs opened te-day before Mr Justice Ward, who congratulated the Grand Jury that the calendar was not heavier than usual. Charles Fowler, for larceny of a watch, was found guilty, and lentenced to three years' penal servitude. George Curia pleaded guilty to stealing six head of cattle, the property of one Wilson. He was sentened to two years' probation.