THE COURTS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14900, 13 February 1914, Page 4

THE COURTS.

SUPREME COURT.

CRIMINAL SITTINGS

The criminal sittings of the Supreme Court, were continued yesterday before his Honour Mr Justice Denuiston.

ACQUITTED

The hearing of the charge against W. H. Clement, of the theft of a magneto, was resumed. Mr M. Donnelly, counsel for Clement, addressed the jury for nearly two hours and a half, reviewing the evidence at "reat length. Mr Ostler briefly spoke Sn behalf of tho Crown, after which his Honour summed up. "Seven or eight hours have been spent." said Mr Justice Denniston s "in details entirely unnecessary and irrelevant to the case." The jury, he said, had to be perfectly satisfied that the Crown had proven its case of a theft, otherwise tho accused man was entitled to the benefit of the doubt. There was not tho slightest suggestion that accused started with the idea of theft, and it had to be shown that at a lat-erj stage the idea came to him. The jury retired at 2.46, and retnrned at 3.1j p.m. with, a verdict of not guilty. . ._ Prisoner wns thereupon discharged. PROBATION.

Joseph McClintock pleadeu guilty to a charge that, on January 27th. he did forge a cheque on tho Bank of Now Zealand, Christchurch, for the sum of £18 ltts. In the Lower Court a pl»a of not guilty was entered. Mr Hunt, counsel for accused, urged that leniency should be extended to him. It seemed that tho real blame attached to one McAllister, at whose instigation the cheque had been stolen, and with whom the proceeds were to bo divided. The money had not been obtained, and so no loss occurred. Mr Ostler said the man was mentally weak, and had not been in trouble since 1900. Accused was put unon probation for one year. CAHNAL KNOWLEDGE.

Charles Edward Carisen was charged that at Rakaia, on Dwemher 20th, 1013. ho did -carnally know a girl under tho age of 16 years, and also that he did indecently assault the said girl. Accused pleaded "not guilty." Mr Hunt appeared as counsel. The Court was cleared of tho public during the hearing of this case. Tho jury found accused guilty, and he was" sentenced to six months' imprisonment.