HOKITIKA SUPREME COURT SITTINGS.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 248, 18 May 1868, Page 3

HOKITIKA SUPREME COURT SITTINGS.

The Supreme Court sittings at Hokitika commenced on Wednesday last. The charge of Mr Justice Richmond will be found elsewhere. The first case tried was that of James Douglas, for the murder of Hugh Carmichael. As to the guilt of the accused there was not the slightest doubt, his own confession inculpating him completely, but the jury in the most singular manner found him guilty of manslaughter only. A cold-blooded deliberate murder accompanied by circumstances of peculiar atrocity was proved, and the verdict was received with equal astonishment by the Judge, prisoner, and public. The West Coast Times of the following day had some very well-deserved but severe strictures on the Jury, and the Judge, in sentencing the prisoner to penal servitude for life, could not help remarking on the narrow escape he had had from hanging. At the Supreme Court sitting in banco on Friday, an application was made for a Special Jury to try the cases for riot and sedition —granted, and Monday was fixed for the trials to commence. An application was made for the admission of Mr R. D. Ireland to practise at the Bar, after passing the necessary examination and producing evidence—granted.

The case of Begina v. Barrow, for larceny, broke down. The indictment was quashed owing to the word " feloniously " being omitted. The Crown Prosecutor was taken to task for his gross negligence by his Honor Mr Justice Richmond. The case of Begina v. Mary Phillips, for perjury, also broke down, and the prisoner was discharged. A fresh indictment has been prepared, and 'a true bill found by the Grand Jury against Barrow, for stealing a keg of butter. Ho was tried on Friday and found guilty, but remanded for sentence. As there were no more cases ready, the Court was adjourned till this day (Monday).