Supreme Court Sittings.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXIV, Issue 3786, 20 May 1908, Page 2

Supreme Court Sittings.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, This Day.

At the Supreme Court yesterday "No bill" was returned by the Grand Jury in the following cases: —John Daroch Bodle, alleged theft, Auckland; Joseph Bannerker Adger, alleged indecent assault, Auckland; Daniel Kennedy, alleged attempted murder, and attempting to do grevious bodily harm, Auckland. John Chappell, 25 years of age, was sentenced to twelve months' hard labour for carnally knowing a girl under the age of consent.

Henry Griffiths, charged with forging and attempting to utter a cheque was admitted to probation for two

years. i An old man named Joseph Geddis, of Gisbome, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for an assault, causing actual bodily harm. Six months was the term dealt out to Andrew Anderson for theft from a vessel.

The Cambridge burglars, George Kelly and William McGibbons, were not found to possess the most favourable records in the Dominion, and though the latter pleaded that he had an old mother to support, he and his mate were sentenced to two years.

One year's imprisonment was the punishment meted out to a Maori youth named Leonard Cosgrove, for breaking and entering at Port Awanui.

Ratu Hohoia's sympathy overcame him to such an extent recently that he was induced to swear false evidence, which earned for him two years. Ngawatu Slade's agility with the pen brought him twelve months' imprisonment for forgery and uttering. Joseph Caltaux, 20 years, was remanded for a week on a charge of causing actual bodily harm. Edward Walsh entered the dock smiling, and urged no reason why sentence should not be passed upon him for forgery and uttering at Hamilton. "Well, prisoner," said His Honor, reading a lengthy list of convictions, "you seem to have got tired of Wellington, I'm sorry to see. You have qualified yourself for an indefinite period to be fed at His Majesty's expense. The sentence of the Court is two years' hard labour, and I dedeclare you an habitual offender." Six months only was the award in the case against Bini, who pleaded guilty to perjury. Karl Hellstrom was sentenced to three years on each of three charges of theft, with an intimation that on another appearance in the Court room the title of "habitual criminal," would be conferred upon him. Thomas Fitzgerald, who was brought into the dock apparently a raving maniac, was not in a fit condition to be dealt with, and his case was adjourned. Reginald Brooking Tatton, a stalwart good looking young farmer, was placed upon his trial charged with assaulting one Alexander Livingstone and causing actual bodily harm at Whatawhata. Mr J. R. Reed appeared for the defence.

The complainant, in his evidence, said that on March 6th he met accused, who charged him with making unpleasant remarks concerning accused's behaviour to a certain married woman. Witness denied the allegation, and was then subjected to a torrent of abusive language. Accused came up to witness, who was standing leaning on a uwingle-tree, and shook bis fist within four inches of witness's face. Subsequently accused grabbed the swingle-tree from witness and struck him a blow on the head, which rendered him unconscious. Witness had given no provocation.

Cross examined by Mr Reed, the witness denied that he had openly boasted of his "conquests" of married women in the district. It was untrue that he was ejected from an hotel because he entered one of the maid's bedrooms. It was also untrue that he was dismissed from his employment because he took young girls into his room. He admitted that one man had threatened to "blow your light out if you don't leave my daughter alone." "But," added the witness, "I was as drunk as a fool."

Continuing, under cross examination, the witness said he may have raised the swingle tree at the time of the assault, but he made no attempt to strike accused. He intended to wait until accused struck him, and then to fight. Mr Reed —You ask the jury to believe that you stood perfectly still waiting for accused to strike you?— Yes.

After hearing lengthy [evidence Tatton was acquitted. The man Fitzgerald, charged with arson in connection with fires at the residence of Mr Leo. Myers, appeared in Court as if in a fit and was put back.