SUPREME COURT.--CRMINAL SITTINGS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 149, 15 December 1870, Page 6

SUPREME COURT.- -CRMINAL SITTINGS.

On Wednesday, the 7th, at the Supreme Court, three prisoners were brought up for sentence : James M' Donald, alias Dickson, an old offender, for uttering a forged cheque, was sentenced to four years' penal servitude ; George Grey M'Ewan, for horse-stealing, to two years' imprisonment, with, hard labour; and James Hute! tings, for attempting to commit an abominable offence, to six months' imprisonment with hard labor. The court was occupied during tho greater part of the day in trying a young man named William Roberts, against whom there were four charges of obtaining money, goods, and cattle under false pretences, the alleged mode of defrauding being the same in each instance, viz., passing valueless cheques. The prisoner who was defended by Mr. Macassey, was acquitted on two of the charges, and t!ih Crown Prosecutor declined to proceed wifcli the others. Joseph Dods, on bail, was tried for obtaining money on false pretences, and acquitted. Mr. Turton defended the prisoner.

Oil Thursday, Jainos Ncill, Richard Fellows, James Anderson, alias " Maori Jack," and Thomas Hewson, were placed in the dock to answer to au indictment charging them with having kiliod 13 sheep, the property of Messrs Graham and Walton, of Hawkburn Station, Dunstan, with intent to feloniously carry away their carcasses. Mr. Barton defended the prisoners. After evidence was led on both sides, the jury retired, and on returning brought a verdict of Guilty against Fellows and Neil I, and of Not Guilty against Anderson and Hewson. Anderson was discharged, but Hewson was kept in custody, as ho is to stand his trial on another charge.

OnFriday, Louis Sehniollwas charged with committing perjury at the Resident Magistrate's Court, Oamaru. He pleaded not guilty. The charge was that he had falsely sworn to the effect that George Cooper and James Gillam had asked him to burn down a mill at Otepopo, in consideration of their giving him L 250 to cover his share in the mill, and for doing so. Mr. B. C. Haggitt prosecuted for the Crown, Mr. Smith appeared for the prisoriei;. After a deal of evidence had been given for the prosecution, Mr. Haggitt and Mr. Smith addressed the jury, and his Honour then summed up at some length. Tho jury having retired for half an hour, acquitted the prisoner.