SUPREME COURT SIITTNGS. AUCKLAND. Tuesday.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2145, 8 April 1886, Page 2

SUPREME COURT SIITTNGS. AUCKLAND. Tuesday.

Arson.— August Forkert was arrainged on an indictment charging him with setting fire to a shed attached to the dwelling-house of Hermann Meyer, of Ngaroto, Waikato. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mr Hudson Williamson (Crown Prosecutor) conducted the prosecution, Mr Napier appeared fur the defence. Hermann Meyer, settler, Ngaroto, deposed : Prisoner is my son-in-law. Recently had occasion to impound prisoner'! cattle for trespassing and damages. Saw prisoner on return home. He was running away from the cowshed, which^ was on fire. Forkert was about thirteen yards from the shed. Shouted to him, " Forkert what are you up to now ?" The end of the shed nearest to Forkert was on fire. .There. was not much blaze then< The|shed (was built of ti-tree, and wa* very dry. There were some farm implements in the shed. The shed was roofed with rushes. Forkart made no reply to my remark, but ho ran into the tea-tree. Succeeded in putting out the fire. There were two sheds close to the one which was on fire — one shed being nearer my houte than the burning one. The shed was about 17 yards from ray house. Prisoner ran in a stooping position behind a fence. Accused knew witness had impounded his cattle, Johana Meyer, Henry Brown, and Constable Ryan, were examined. Mr Napier then addressed the jury. His Honour summed up, and the jury after a few minutes found prisoner not guilty, and he was discharged from custody. James Marshall, for breaking and entering, was sentenced to nine months hard labour, and Mohi te Kati, for burglary at Ohinemutu, got twelve months, with an additional month for escaping from custody. Indecent Assault.— Frederick Appleyard (21) was arrainged on an indictment charging him with committing an indecent assault on Sophia Coe, at Paterangi, on the 26th January last. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mr Theo. Cooper appeared for tho prisoner. Mr Hudson Williamson conducted the prosecution. Sophia Coe (halfcaste) deposed : My husband's name is Daniel Coe ; we live at Paterangi. I know deceased, and have known him for six years. He oame to my house on the 20' th January last. Arthur Smith came up to the house with prisoner. I talked with them for about a quarter of an hour. They then rode away as far as the gate (about 20 yards), and rode back again. Prisoner then said ho w ould wait till the rain was over, and he tied hU horse up to the shed and came iuti the house. Smith rode away. I have three children ; the oldest is five years of age. He said to me, " Whero is your si^er ?" I replied, "Down at Whatawhata. " He said, ''She was my sweetheart before. " He looked at my hand, and said, " What a lot of rings you have got." [Witness then described what took place.] I said I would tell my husband. He said he was a good man ; if he had been a bad man he would have murdered me. He let me go then, and I ran into the bedroom and bolted the door. I found t\ scratch on my knee, and a bruise on my side. I was not long in my room before uay husband came. There are no houses near my place, and there was no one about. Daniel Coe (husband of last witness), Arthur Smith, and Constable Jone=t, ga\e evidence. Counsel having addressed the jury at length, His Honour carefully summed up. The jury retired for half an hour, and then brought in a verdict of "Not guilty." Prisoner was discharged from custody. James Maloney (10), and John Maloney (15), pleaded guilty to stealing a yacht. Maloney was sent to gaol for nine and Knox for 18 months, it being the former's first offence.

[BY TELEGRAPH. — OWN COUUESPONDENT.I Auckland, Wednesday Night.. Hauraki, a, native of Huntly, was sentenced to four months' for horse-stealing ; Richard Arthur Morell was sentenced to two years, forging and uttering ; Samuel McMeckin, six months', stealing bank book ; North, for stealing billiard balls, was sentenced to nine months ; A. Berpark, two years, forgery.