GREYMOUTH, Last Night.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1728, 2 August 1883, Page 2

GREYMOUTH, Last Night.

The charges of gold stealing against M. Morton, of Maori Creek, were conI eluded at an early hour this morning. The indictment consisted of three charges, but the jury found him guilty only on one, the last (stealing auriferous earth), with a strong recommendation to mercy. ! On the Court resmring at ten, the Crown Prosecutor withdrew the three other charges of a similar character, and the Judge sentenced prisoner to three months' imprisonment. Owing to the washing site not having been registered as part of the claim, the ground was declared Crown lands, and the prisoner could not therefore be convicted of stealing the cLiim. No ■witnesses for the defence were called in the case. At a meeting of the members of the WestlaudLavv Society lastevening to consider certain grievances of the profession against theR.M. (Mr Stratford), it was unaninioasly resolved "That having carefully considered such complaint the society finds that Mr Stratford habitually treats all the members of the bar while practising before him with the greatest discourtesy, and that his demeanour on the bench is frequently most insulting and embarassing to them, and that the Minister be requested to enquire into the matter." A copy of the resolution will be forwarded to the Minister.