SUPREME COURT, AUCKLAND. [BY TELEGRAPH.-OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Auckland, Last Night.

Waikato Times, Volume XX, Issue 1715, 3 July 1883, Page 2

SUPREME COURT, AUCKLAND. [BY TELEGRAPH.-OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Auckland, Last Night.

Im the Supreme Court, his Honour, in delivoing his charge to the Grand Jury, ■said that the calendar with winch they had to deal was compaiatively a light one, there being only 11 persons, charged with 17 offences. The list, however, was somewhat peculiar in the variety which it piesentcd. There was one case of bigamy, one in which accused had been committed for rape although he would probably be indicted for indecent assault, one for an unnatural offence, one for perjury, one for robbery, two for housebrealuug and stealing, two for uttering; false cheques —against one of whom there were six charges — and one for larceny. In regard to most of these there was no occasion for special direction, as they wore of a simple character. Passing over, with tho remark as tn their simple nature, the other eas( j s, except tint of bribery of a public olficer, his Honor said of it that it was one of very unusual character, and therefore calling for special attention. No such clmrae, &o t.ir as he was aware, had ever before boon brought into any court in this colony. The ci 1111 c was very serious., ior not only did the law abhor any attempt to influence public officers, but it was manifest that the interests of the people weie deeply involved in preset ving the punty and honesty of the public service. Aft'T going somewhat into the case, his Honom said tb.it if it weie fonnd that the officer w.is only requested to act in his pei&oual capacity there would lie no crime, whcicas if it was his ofheial services that were wanted, there would be ciime. The olfor was undoubtedly moially wiong. His Honour commended the action of the public officer under the circumstances as right, and said that everyone would sympathise with the (Jovernuipnt in their determination to nip in the bud any attempt to biibe public servants. True bills were also found against all the piisoneis, including Stevens for bribery. Henry Smith, for bieaking into the house of Thos. McCafFory. at the North Shore, was sentenced to two yeais imprisonment ; Thos Henry Butler, for forging and utteiinti a valueless cheque, got 12 months ltnpiisonment with haul labour.