SUPREME COURT, AUCKLAND. Criminal Sessions.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1563, 11 July 1882, Page 2

SUPREME COURT, AUCKLAND. Criminal Sessions.

[by telegraph.—ow\ correspondent.] Auckland, Last Night. Tin: crinrincil session of the Supreme Court was opened to-day. ins honor's charge. Judge Gillies, in charging the Grand Jury, said : The most serious cases that will engage your attention include one of wilful murder, in which, as you are all aware, a Maori is charged with having committed murder so far back as six years ago, viz., 1876. The facts in that case are such that I need not call your special attention to them, for they are simple enough in themselves if you are satisfied with the evidence brought before you. In this case, if you are satisfied of the killing, there can be no doubt as to whether it is murder Or not. Another serious charge is that against two Maoris of attempting to murder. This crime also took place some four years ago. It is alleged that shots were fired, and a surveyor, who was engaged in a survey of native land, was wounded. Of course you need not enter into the question of motive. The act of shooting at a surveyor is wrong in any case, for this person was engaged in his lawful occupation at the tune. The only matter to consider is the evidence as to the identity of the natives who are charged with those who fired the shots. That depends principally upon the confession of the native* themselres. You will have to be satisfied as to that point, however. It appears to me, so far as I can see, that the evidence shows no identification of the persons who fired the shots. In the case against Fairburn, charged with being unlawfully on the premises of the Rev. Mr Grittos, there is no evidence of felonious intent. The list of cases for hearing, though a long one, discloses no increase in crime during the quarter. Some of the offences were committed a long time ago, and only came into the present calendar by delay in making arrests.

TRUE BILL AGAINST WINIATA. The Grand Jury found a true bill against Winiata.

NO BILL. The bill against Fairburn was thrown OUt. SENTENCES, Edward Fitzgerald was sentenced to two years' penal servitude for larceny from his employer, John Sainsbury, of Hikutaia. George Bennett was sentenced to twelve months' penal servitude for stealing from" the person of Samuel Henry Cox. SamuerHenry Cox was charged with unlawfully wounding. ' It was shown he acted in self-defence, and he was sentenced to imprisonment till the rising'of the Court. ' ' ' > .

r ;• /.!• "ACQUITTAL. >- .-^ ',' ' Robert- Johnson ,was acquitted of wounding Daniel < Lamb with intent at Dargaville.' ■> • -' A -< , >' *,

1 ' TnE committee for the conservation of forests in South'Austra'lia have -pr'omissd IQ,OOO trees for planting the,park Ha»ds{