SUPREME COURT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume xxix, Issue 7265, 12 August 1907, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

Per Press Association. Ti WELLINGTON, August 12. tnrlov i "f reJll?r Co T Urt sessi°ns opened to-day before Mr Justice Cooper In ciiargmg* the Grand Jury, his Honour said that he regretted there was a large amount of crime to be investigated. Iraotically there were'twenty-one charges against nineteen -rsons. Cecil Cosgrove, alias, Furlong, who had pleaded guilty to theft from" a dwelling, was sentenced to three years' ■imprisonment. The prisoner admitted navmg previously been convicted of larceny in Australia. CHRISTCHTTRCH, August 12. The criminal sessions of the Supreme Court opened to-day. Mr Justice Chapman, m his charge to the Grand Jury, said that the cases were such as not to indicate any large amount of crime m the district; they were not more numerous than usual, and there was no larger proportion of serious offences than usual. On the whole he thought [ it a fair subject for congratulation that OTfflsr a series of sessions, there had been no increase of crime in the district, but rather a tendency to decrease. His Honour then went into details of the cases of importance which would come .before the jury, and referred at some length to that of Stanton, an unlicensed "healer," charged with manslaughter.

Alfred Welsh, for forgery and uttering, was ordered to undergo probation for six months; Harry Cox, forgery and uttering, probation for two years'; Cecil Waters, connected with the same charge, three months' hard labour. Fred. Cooper, also charged with forgery and uttering/had spent 30 years of his life in prison. a?id was declared to be an habitual criminal, and sent to gaol for four years. In the case of the New Brighton fatality, in which William Barnard Rhodes appeared last session on a charge of manslaughter, and the Grand •Tury threw out the Bill, and the police sixain proceded. His Honour delivered a very lengthy charge to the Grand Jury. DUNEDTN. August- 12. The criminal calendar for next MonrlnVs sitting of tlie Supreme Court con~'s As of charges against eight prisoners. fhree of whom are jointly charged with broaching cargo. One "Ti'soner has to answer seven charges of theft.