SUPREME COURT—THIS DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 130, 3 June 1890, Page 8

SUPREME COURT—THIS DAY.

CRIMINAL SITTINGS.

(Before Mr Justice Conolly.)

Forging and Uttering.—John Whittingham came up for sentence this morning. He pleaded guilty yesterday to two charges of forging and uttering, and one of false pretences. —Mr O'Meagher appeared for the accused. He called witnesses to show the previous good character of the accused. Evidence was given by J. H. Ross and Charles Hopkins. —Mr O'Meagher urged that the prisoner should be leniently treated. He considered that tho people who received those cheques so carelessly were greatly to blame. He asked thab the prisoner might be put on probation.—Mr Cameron, of the Bank of New South Wales, was called, and in reply to His Honor said that the book from which the cheques were obtained was issued in March, 1889, .to a firm that was not now in existence.— His Honor expressed sorrow at having to pass sentence upon a man who had committed an act of such supreme folly. He could not admit him to probation, as forgery was a serious offence. He would, however, pass upon him; the extremely light sentence of six months' imprisonment on each offence, the sentences to be concurrent. Alleged Sheep • stealing. — Leonard Sydney Irving, Christopher Aldis Irving and Walter Augustus Irvine were charged with having on the 14th of April killed a sheep with intent to steal the carcase. They were also charged with receiving the same. Each prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mr Theo. Cooper appeared for the accused.— William George John "Xork deposed that he lived at Waitangi. He knew the Irvings, and went out shooting with tho two boys in May. Sydney Irving said that a cheep thab was near the river belonged to Chute. He knew that two years ago Irving had sheep running on this land. Witness subsequently saw the carcase of the cheep.—Edward P. Watkis, Auckland Agent for the Public Trustee, produced the will of the late John Wright Hingston, of Waitangi. He stated that William Busby was appointed executor, but renounced, and the Public Trustee took over the estate.—F. C. Hingston deposed to having left the sheep in question as it knocked up on tho road. On the 14th of Apiil he met the two young Irvings, just aboub dark. One of tho boys had a sack tied on the front of the saddle. That evening he visited lrving's house and saw Mr Irving frying some kidneys. Something in a bag was hanging from the ceiling. Next day he found where the sheep had been kpled. He could tell it was his by the earmark. He had left the sheep on that open run for six months. Ib was worbh about seven shillings.—By Mr Cooper: Mr Irving told him that if he claimed the sheep he would have paid him for it. Just then the police brought in the carcase.—Louis Clifford Goffe, settler, Waitangi, deposed thab he had been living near the prisoner for over 20 years.— He was with last witness when they met the two Jrvings. One of them Bald they were going to look after a pig of theirs. Next day he saw the place where bhe sheep had been slaughtered.— Constable MeGilp afterwards showed him the carcase of a sheep quite fresh, but with dirt upon it.—Constable Wm. Sefton deposed to going to the house of bhe accused in company with Constable McGilp. In searching the garden he discovered the carcase of a sheep. It was quite fresh and had been recently slaughtered. The two younger prisoners were then arrested. (Left sitting.)