JUDGE AND JURY.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 290, 6 December 1889, Page 3

JUDGE AND JURY.

(by telegraph.—press Association.)

Wellington, this day. A prisoner named Ward, whom the jury found guilty of common assault on a young girl was brought up for senbence this morning. The Probation Officer, in his report, made no recommendation, though there was no suggestion thafc the prisoner had been previously convicted. Sir James Prendergast said he considered the verdict of the jury was utterly unreasonable, for either the girl's story was true or untrue. The twol vo men, of course, were entitled to their opinion, but so was he (fche Judge) entitled to givo expression to his, which was that the verdict was ridiculous. He felb that the punishment he was aboub bo mete oub was inadequate, but the verdict of bhe jury had prevented him from treating the prisoner in the manner he richly deserved. In His Honor's opinion the girl had been thrown, and it was only by chance fchafc sho had not suffered the grossest indignities. Sho had given her evidence in a very straightforward and intelligent manner, and there was no reason to doubt her testimony. Sir James Prendergast spoke very strongly on the conduct of Ward, whom he sentenced •to one calendar month's hard labour, expressing regret that he was poiivdrle.S fed deal with tho case as he would wish.