SUPREME COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 131, 4 June 1901, Page 5

SUPREME COURT.

At Ihe criminal sessions of tbe Supreme Court yesterday afternoon (before His Honor Mr Justice Conollv), Archibald McKee. was found guilty of the theft of £48 17/9 worth of kauri gum, the property of Ralph Montgomery, of Waikino. The jury added to their verdict a strong recommendation to mercy on the ground that the informant had conducted the gum transactions in a loose manner. Sentence was deferred till Saturday morning, in order that counsel for the defence might communicate with prisoner's friends in regard to making restitution.

To-day the trial of a young man named Edward Williams, 28 years of age, a jeweller and fancy goods dealer at Waikino, on a charge of arson, was proceeding. He pleaded not guilty to the charge, whicli was that of setting fire to his premises on April 24th lust. Tbe Hon. J. A. Tole conducted the prosecution, and Mr C. J. Parr appeared for the defence. It was alleged in the course of the case that shortly before the fire prisoner insured bis stock in the Imperial Insurance Office for £200, stating that be had stock of the value of £300. Several witnesses were examined for the prosecution, in regard to the circumstances surrounding the fire.