SUPREME COURT.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13363, 3 March 1909, Page 4

SUPREME COURT.

(press association telegrams.) INVERCARGILL, March 2. Tlie Supreme Court session opened today before Mr Justice Williams. There are only four cases, against six persons, true bills being found in all cases. John Templeton, aged 54, pleaded guilty to shrcp-stealing. Counsel applied for probation, as tho prisoner, who had lived in Southland for 47 years, had an unblemished record. . His Honour said sheep-stealing was very common and difficult to detect, and when detected should always bo punished as a deterrent. Accused was sentenced to two years' hard labour. James Dowling/Arthur Insall, and Herbert Hibbs, charged with discharging firearms at night with intent to alarm William Poll and his wife, were acquitted, after a hearing lasting nearly all day. WANGANUI, March 2. The Supremo Court sessions opened before Mr Justice Chapman, who, in his charge to tho Grand Jury, said it was very satisfactory to find that tho total amount of serious crime was extremely small. Only three cases were presented to the Grand Jury. Edgar Hodson, for stealing from the person, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to three months' imprisonment. Arthur H. Campbell, who pleaded guilty to the theft of a bicycle and accessories, was admitted to probation for two years. William Scott was sentenced to eighteen months' imprisonment and Albert Way to six months' imprisonmert for breaking and entering tho Economic Stores.