SOUTHERN COURTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 52, 2 March 1909, Page 3

SOUTHERN COURTS.

WASGASUI SUPREME COURT. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.! WANGANUI, this day. The Supreme Court sessions opened today, before Mr. Justice Chapman, who, in his charge to the grand jury said it was very satisfactory to find that the total amount of serious crime was extremely small, in fact it had become so small as to : be quite a remarkable feature of our time. He was extremely pleased at the absence j of crime against women and children, which a few years ago seemed to have begun to form a ieature of the calendarsOnly three cases were presented to the j grand jury, who found a true bill in each j case. One peculiar case was a charge against a person for advising two burg- , lars how to use gelignite, which had been intended to be used in breaking open a | safe at the Economic here. Herbert Hod- | son, stealing from the person, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three months Arthur H. Campbell, who rieaded guilty to the theft of a bicycle and accessories, was admitted to probation for two years. William Scott received 13 months, and Albert Way 6 months, for breaking and entering the Economic. A SHEEP-STEALER SENTENCED. INVERCARGILL, this day. The Supreme Court session opened before Mr. Justice •Williams to-day. There are only four cases against six persons, and true bills were found in all cases. John Templeton, aged 54, pleaded guilty to sheep stealing.. Counsel applied for probation, as prisoner, who had lived in j Southland for 47 years, had an unblc-m- ! ished record. His Honor said sheep stealing was very common, and difficult to detect, and when detected should-always be punished as a deterrent. A sentence of two years' hard labour was imposed.