Thursday, 9th June, SELLING SPURIOUS GOLD.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 123, 16 June 1870, Page 6

Thursday, 9th June, SELLING SPURIOUS GOLD.

A Chinaman, named Mule Kum, a miner, was indicted for having sold, on the 11th April last, a composition of lead and gold, he having represented the same to be genuine gold.

The witnesses examined were William Colclough, Sergeant Fox, stationed at Queenstown, and Edwin T. Payne, assayer in the Bank of New South Wales, who analysed the composition, and stated that out of 3 dwts. 8 grs. he found scarcely one grain of gold, the rest being lead.

The jury returned a verdict of Guilty, and the prisoner -was sentenced to be imprisoned for two years with hard labour.

FALSE PRETENCES.

Sam Queen, alias Jamie, alias Ah Lee, alias Flash Jamie, who had been previously sentenced to three months' imprisonment for theft, was indicted for having, on - the 19th March, at Cromwell, obtained L 6 ss. from Ann Box, hotelkeeper, by means of false representations. The jury returned a verdict of Guilty, and the prisoner was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment.

STEALING WATCH AT OAMARU.

Thomas Harding was indicted for having, at Oamaru, on the 27th April, stolen a gold watch.

The prisoner was found Guilty, and he was ordered to be imprisoned for twelve months.

FORGERY AND UTTERING.

William Gray was indicted for having, in December, 1869, forged and uttered a cheque for Ll7l ss.

Mr. Barton made an able address to the jury on behalf of the prisoner. He urged, amongst other things, that the prisoner was very much under the influence of drink during the time the alleged offence was committed, and that as soon as he became sober the money obtained was given up. The learned counsel, before he concluded his address, complained of the conduct of several of the jurymen, who, he stated, had manifested such an indifference in the case as to permit themselves to fall wleop -whilst ho was

them. It was most discouraging tocounsel to see such inattention, and he regretted that ha should have had to make such remarks respecting gentlemen occupying ths position of jurors, but he felt that in doing so, h9 had only done his duty to his client.

One of the jurymen made some request in an indistinct tone of voice, whereupon j^k Mr. Barton replied : I shall do notl^^ ing of the kind, sir; if tho cap fits, you may wear it if you like.

The jury found the prisoner Guilty, but strongly recommended him to mercy.

Considering the circumstances, His Honour passsd sentence upon him for two years' imprisonment with hard labour.