SUPREME COURT.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 256, 8 March 1898, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

CRIMINAL SESSIONS. (BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT). Auckland, Last Night. The March criminal sessions of the Supreme Court opened this morning, with a heavy calendar. Reviewing the Harapipi tragedy, Mr Justice Connolly said he was bound to tell the jury (hat, no matter how the man might have been annoyed at having his feucu interfered with, his deliberately firing a gun must be murder. There was some indication in this case which might point to inaani'y, but, as he had saiil Lefore, that was a matter for the Common Jury. What the Grand Jury had to consider was whether there was a case to submit for tiial. Concerning the charge of child murder against Ma»y Ramsbottom, the Judge said she must have known that leaving her child away from the road, and that, too, at winter time, would cause its death. If she knew that, then she was just as guilty of murder as if she had used violence to accomplish her purpose. However painful it must be under the circumstances, they had no option but to send the case tor trial on the evidence before them. The Grand Jury returned true bills in the following cases :—Frederick Pearson, forgery and uttering ; Henry Aben and Rora Kaihui, breaking ami entering and theft; Margaret Williams, wilful damage ; Le Rau Hohaia, breaking and filtering ; Rewiti, two charges of theft; George Huddlestone, theft (four charges); Mary Ramsbottom, murder; William Franklin, house-breaking. George Huddleston pleuled guilty to having stolen the sums of £32 4s lid, £l2 4s lOd, £7 6s 3d, and £22 6s Id, the said sums of money being in his possession as an officer of the Government. The case was adjourned ti 1 Wednesday to allow of evidence as to character being given.