SUPREME COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2717, 7 January 1879, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

CRIMINAL SITTINGS,

(Before His Honor. Mr Justice Gillies.)

THIS DAY. His Honor took his seat on the Bench at 10 o'clock.

NO TRUE BILLS,

The Grand Jury ignored the bill against John Hcnnessy (drowned), shooting with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

INDECENT ASS *ULT. The charge against Matthew Walsh, of indecent assault, on the application ot Mr Brooklield, was remanded till next session of the Court, the principal witness being too ill to be present. The Foreman of the Grand Jury stated from the evidence before them they would ignore the Uill.

PLACING OBSTRUCTION ON RAILWAY LINE.

Thomas Fidgett was arraigned on an indictment charging him with maliciously and feloniously placing obstruction on the line of railway.

pleaded not guilty. ■T?Mr Brookfield addressed the jury, and stated the circumstances of the case.

James Slater, Richard Baxter, an enginedriver ; Win. Pickett, luspector of the railway line from Rangariri to Ohaupo; Wm. Miller, a workman on the railway line,; Wm. Sinythe, also a workman en the line ; John Timmins, another workman; Singleton Gardner, and Andrew Adams, assistant storekeeper, gave evidence similar to that which lias been already published in th"sc columns.

Prisoner then addressed the jury at considerable length. He asked what motive conld he have in placing obstruction on the line? And there was no evidence to show tint ho bad done so. No one had seen him place the obstruction on the line. The jury, after ten minutes deliberation, returned a verdict of " not guilty."

Prisoner was then discharged from custody.

MALICIOUSLY KILLING A HORSE,

Charles Edwards vas arraigned on an indictment charging him with maliciously and feloniously killing a horse at Mongonui, the property of a Maori. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mr Hesketh defended .Edwards.

Mr Brookfield stated the circumstances of the case, and called Constable Hutcbinson, who deposed to the arrest of prisoner on the charge. Hetoraka, the owner of the horse gave evidence. (Mr George Brown interpreted.) He deposed to the circumstances connected with the killing of the horse and finding of the body. ?»'A Maori youth named Matthew also gave evidence. This closed the case of the prosecutor. Mr Hesketh addressed the jury, and called a younger brooher of prisoner. (This witness is being examined as we go to press.)