THE COURTS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16213, 16 May 1918, Page 4

THE COURTS.

SUPREME COURT.

CRIMINAL SESSIONS

(Before liis-Honour Mr Justice Ilerdman.)

The criminal sessions were resumed yesterday. Mr S. G. Raymond, K.C., prosecuted for the Crown.

ALLEGED SHEEP-STEALING

Tho hearing was resumed of the charge against Peter McCallum Hamilton, Culverden (Mr Alpers), of having cn October 7th, 1917, stolen nine wethers, the property of Messrs McKay Brothers and Earshtnan, Culverden. valued at £13 10s.

Further evidence in support of the case for the Crown- was given. In opening the case for the defence, Mr Alpers said that evidence would be Lriven by accused's father and by certain shearers. The defence would tc the same now n.s it had been in the past —namely, that the sheep were not McKny and Earshmaivs; or if they are, or were, their sheep, accused obtained them honestly and without anv suspicion of dishonesty or fraud on his part. Evidence would show that the sheep purchased from .North by accused were not ail ot one earmark, but of a variety of earmarks, when they reached accused. North Could only speak of the sheep as they left his place in the Nelson district, and not as they wero 17 days later, when delivered to accused, and when, in the period mentioned. Lhev might have got mixed with stragglers. Accused would state that the nine sheep, the subject of the charge, were on his place and we re crutched in July last year and shorn on the. first Tue.sdav in October last, five days prior to the date- on which lie was alleged to have stolen them. Mr J?aviiiond remarked that the date given in "the indictment was put- in for technical purposes—some date had to be given—but it did not preclude the alleged theft having taken place prior to the date given. Mr Alpers said that the date was material from his point of view; however. he could not press the matter. Bv independent witnesses it would Le proved that or. October 2pd, 1917, there were no sheep in accused's flock branded with McKay Brothers and Earshraan's brand: if there had been any black, or dark green, branded sheep amongst accused's sheep the shearers would have been sure to have spotted them. Both accused and accused's father would testify that on January 23rd this year none of the sheep purchased from North or from Parnhum had been sold, and that all were included in the .flock. They were not likely to swear to this unless it were fact as. if' the case were otherwise, they would stand a sporting chance of being proceeded against "for perjury, as in a district like Culverden everyone knew his neighbour's business; in addition, the representatives of stock agency firms were keen in finding out all transactions with stock.

Evidence was given on the lines indicated by counsel.

Counsel addressed the jury, and his Honour summed up.

The jury at o.l'i p.m.*, after a little over half an hour's retirement, brought in a, verdict of not guilty, and accused was discharged. On the application of the foreman,

the jury was relieved of further attendance at the present sessions.

The Court rose till 10 a.m. to-day, when the last case on the calendar will be taken.

MAGISTERIAL. (Bcforo Mr T. A. B. Bailoy, S.M.) THEFT. John Duncan (Mr Donnelly) pleaded not guilty to stealing a quantity of coal, valued at Is 6d, the property of the Blackball Coal {Jo. Accused was convicted, and ordered to como up for sentence when called on, and return or pay for the coal. • COSTLY TRAM RIM. Wm. Matthews pleaded not guilty to a charge of failing to pay Ins tram fare. Mr J. J. Dougall appeared for the Tramway Board. A line of 20s and costs was imposed. ASSAULT. John Wlll. took (Mr M. Donnelly) proceeded against I'loreuco Jieuoiy j.tot 1 .luaiiomec and iSaii Jiauomei (mr J. J. jyougan,) lor an aliuged assault, llio cuae juf Hie coiuplumuut, a milkman, was tnat, bujause lie had fancd 10 leave milk one morning, Mahomet became aggressive, and aitor some words had passed, Mis Mahomet tnrew a kotLle ot boiling water over him. l'or tne defence, it 'was alleged that Cook was abusive, made his way into tile house, and threatened to striko Mrs Mahomet, who tlion threw the water over hint.

his Worship said he would have to rulo that an assault bad been committed, and he thought that Mrs Mahomet hart used excessive means to persuade Cook to leave the promises. He would convict the female defendant, and impose a fine of 20s, with costs, a total of £2 19s. The case against Sali Mahomet was dismissed. INDUSTRIAL CASE. The Inspector of . Awards . proceeded against . I'. W ftittington and 15. Vvicivs, to recover £10 as penalty for failure to keep a mages and overtime book, as required by the Act, also to recover £10 as penalty for a breach of the Christchurch Aeratod Water Workers' award, for failing to pay E. Roberts proper overtime, and made a similar ciaim against defendants for failing to pay overtime to J. Leggatt and It. Cowan. The Inspector further proceeded against E. Roberts and R. Cowan for aceopting loss than the award rate for overtime. . Judgment whs given against the defendants, the employers being fined 10s in each case, and the employees 2s.

TERRITORIAL ARRESTED

(press association telegram.)

HAMILTON", May K>. At the Police Court a Territorial named Charles Donning was charged with breaking and entering a confectionery shop. It appears that he wag noticed at eleven o'clock last night half-way through the fanlight of a shop and- was' arrested at the Claudeland Territorial Camp. He appeared in Court / in uniform, and was remanded until May 23rd.