LAW REPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 423, 4 February 1909, Page 7

LAW REPORTS.

; SUPREME COURT.; / ; ■ y CRIMINAL SESSIONS'OPENED. : .\ . "AMOUNT OF CRIME NOT ABNORMAL , ." - Tho-first;criminal sessions .for the year wero... commenced . yesterday, Mr... Justice Uodpor presiding /,. /' -v. , :. ~/;.',./ , :V:'.;-' -;'./■■■ ;■. grand/jury.- ./■;;;/■■::/■/ ; V Following is the: list of the Grand ; Jurors: — c - A- . E , wcn (foreman), John H. Farquhar, Wm.Cnchton, Leslie Morrison,: John Scott, S^V P - i Lambert, Henry ■B. M'lntosh,;C; J3.. Richardson, E, D. Cachemaille, Chas. H. /Sftvillo, -G; A. Hurley, Alex. Turnbull,; Thos.' Taylor, John; A..'Slater, John A.:;/Maisov, ™ b «irtni!,':Wiii, ; Stevens,.Victor Dimock, Alf./ Ashbolt,- Jas. P.- Brandon, Jas., Paul; .'lhomas : T.■ b. Austin,,and H. Eames;. I; /., / ■■; ;/: HIS : ; ,/ His: Honour, in charging the: Grand jury, j said -he .regretted that l on thk occasion of -tfie opening sittings for the year there should, be , a very, amount of business. In/all/there were 37, charges against 18 separate .persons. Of course,: it could , not be: .said, that'tjie amount of crimo' was abnormal ( when.- all, 'the; circumstances, were taken. inter .consideration.; ■ It.; ha:d'. to :be remembered thattho holidays ; had : fallen during the.past few.weeks. ~Then again a/numbpr of: the fromjthe'country districts.' Still,, it was to..be .regretted that the calendar was: much : ;_larger:.than'was usually the case' , in: .'this; .city, •■and .the.-. , .;offences'... which .were /charged igainst ■ the respective persons .'were: ■for thbimost,part of a serious nature. . There, seemed \a. have Keen.during. the last two or , /three-months:an. .epidemic.- of; crime. in the pity/arid; against property and , against■: the'./person , : : . Upon the • list were, a number 'if. cases of' housebreaking,: also a. -number of.bases.pf;assaultjand. robbery, even .highway -robbery; /which indicated the pres-/ •ence of ,:a'. proportion'of /undesirable persons; in.:the.'city. ,, ' Tin charges against the person resolved themselves/into : a series - of. classes ■'of/crime'. ,:Therbiwere two,charges of what' might.be termed purely offences against tlite; .persoiiTT-one'against a .prisoner .named Norman/:'.of: .having, /attempted! to -murder the/ .•governor../'of: the, Terrace ' ■ Gaol, .'. and ■■'"':one against 'a man.'named ,Collins,/.wh0 , ,; was charged/with the manslaughter of one-Fer-guson; Only /one case of. indecent /assault; appeared oiv the, calendar,: and to the extent .at any rate.the;district/was:tolbe congratu^ , .lated;.//':/ , :/;-/^ , ■/■;!■:': u'i\ :■■:':.:. :?..:.''/:■/.' .'■.■'■ There; were, his Honour continued, a nu'iri-. ber.of. charges; alleging offences which ■ could.. ; ;be .termed; highway-/robberyj : and one or two :of the/cases presented'features'-of, garrotting. In all, there wcre : four/persons charged with ' that:olass'Vof 'offence,:.and.:therp were;/six "cases/against, the/pfisonersi .'Two .foreigners .-■vrp'uldr-.be, brought-fprward :bn:;a charge of: having assaulted a Ghiriaman. If evidence'! ;sinjilar:: : to:.'that.adduced ■hefbre : :the;;Magis-: vtratp ".was; adduced/' the jjury, would have 'no difficulty, in .finding a. true bill'.: There were ..in; all , twenty; charges',of .breaking,/entering : and theft against, fbur persons.:: A series "of /charges/had been 'preferred agaiiist: a man named, Black./ ; With, regard/to.these cases, /there .'might be, some difficulty in the matter; ipf /identity.'/ Evidence: would' bp! called ; -;,,t0 show: that Black was. seen .in 'the- company of i , other : persons;,;Tj-hq.. had admittpd;- the:'•:of -v •fences,:arid; there; wquld' be :,testimbriy'.j : tp'vthe, .effect,,that he 'was,/'pne>of entei^d'one; of the.' places.'. There'ye'ro',Wo: ;cliarges;.of■ burglary : against 'a wbmaii named ! : Tanner.Vwho,."would also/probably :be" charged 'with /having: , received 'stolon- property; ■ It-/would.-.ino:-doubt,;bo.'.established that" a.rhan ; with-.whomishewSs''acquainted/actually en- , Vtqredxthe; houses■ and:stolo "the gcbds.i •;,That • mail;■ ho might/.add,'-had; pleaded: 'guilty.■ Shortly afterwards.'stolen, prbpbrty,was -found> ■;in:''the r ; pbss'ession : V of :--..tne'- ■ woman',: , '■ iy))ip : ; claimecj: it /as: hers,' : The jury' would /be , ' jus-'it)fied;,iri;findiiig.,a;.true-bi!l':inv'regard -tb- the :riamedy;Burgess:Vwas. ; Pharged.'with? eleven 'inr/ ."dependeht.'ofFcnces,, the/facts in respect of all 'of. ,, iWliieh'!'^hpuldv , pertyi|it pas ■6tate.d,'.>had 'bebnvtraced to-thoj ■'possession of "Burgess,;., who .>as nrrested.- 1 ill* ; Sydney; ! ;-. Acbused' iliad.iniade ;ari., admission';to' '*tHe.'' effect;, that,. 'kriew/;'thb '■• property .'had , ■•bMii. ; ;.stoleri: , ; ; ''\Th^ that it wonldvbe tjie /duty: of> the Grand, .Jury ■.t&.fih'd. ; instance... A'chargfl 5 :pf-/sheep-stpalihg/had-been,,bioughtv ivgainst, a man;named,O r Keofe ) .who.was a.fiottlcv at. :Martinborcugh;.' .In , ,a/case of/the'kind, /it , •/did;nS.t ,, :f6!low^^ I'sion-of ;stblen:;slicep. : , that"they ,; wbre: stolen.;.; ißut ihvthiscaso .tliero; would, be some ovi-: lidorice/of; tlib:.destruction/of..the'oar-rnarks; ; ;arid';bf ( spm'e'pf'the. sheep; liqyinE/bcefr^illed^ Included ; ;iri: the,'-'caletidar/ -wero ■twolcliarges 0 /of J fprgbry,' .which 1 ;Wpuld;'.presentMm'o : '/pcouC ■liar.'.vpirbumstancps. , ';■;.'.With;, regard ..to 1 ;, thV: charge against ■one'. , Searl,/ '"the '"Grand.Jury. : would,, have , to/ inquire TPhother:ho. uttered •a; clieque /which vbore ; ; the/, unauthorised, signa- 1 .ture'of.hisibrother-iu-law.: Then there was; a case of.forgery, against a man.named'Mur/' fitt,.w.lio; itjvas alleged/had forged the name. .of,-a ,J /rnan named! v 'Murfett"/ to a^registered' 'letter, , and'/to': a-;receip'f. ; for-.a baiik, draft): In the; firstplace, prisoner appeared, to : have. applied /quite , .honestly, for: letters :at-- the. |;post-office.. ,: ;lt:would,/be for/the Grand-Jury 1 to , .consider his, explanation'.iii' fogafd:to the' hrriatter.//'vi , ;.:/;-:,' , ■:./".,/:;•-■/■.'/. ■: , V V /:/-::-.;.V(

~./Special.raentibri;was: , theriim'ade:by his Hon--:our'.with.reference to/three'.of tbe.cascsj-The charge, against Norman, of having- attempted. 'to,murder .the/go'vernor.of tlie Terrace , Gaol-, :a \ one. vPrisoner ;seemed-:to..have ;a,grieyance—fancied:,' «• the:,authontiesj.'.and he 'had.venfed his';rage;by; .attacking the'g'apler./ ■Normari/hadfmade.an admission as'.-'to'v'whyv .ho had , made the attack, as a:'rosiilt.of:>hich' Mr./ Armstrong '.had/been';seriously:injured.': . No i doubt -'the .Grand/ Jury-would' investigate'/ the voharge/of niaiislaiighter/against: a 'man"' named' Collins, with, great carp.,/'Collins nnd: ' a:lady';fHbiid!had; been'.out; visiting, arid -as they:: were;, leaving /the:.house , at: 10.30: ; - at: r.iglit they fouiid^a-lnan named Ferguson; who: it.AYas'said was: Under, the iriiiuciice of', drink, ;bn the doPr-step.'; Ferguson,;, it was al.leged,:;Tefused: to -go away', arid used 'very vile arid/abominable; .language/ to' the : .lady.'■ Somp'bf/the,;witnesses :said ; tliat. all Collins did was to push the man, who fell and frac-' tufed/his 5ku11..."A v -series,bf /other witnesses -would,- however, testify■ that''-'Collins shape<! up to Ferguspri, and struck;him:■ three"orifour" : times violently, in conse.quence of which Ferguson, was.knocked down, arid-received n. fatal injury., • A mair was justified, in. protecting himself ;or' any one':urider.his .charge, l'rpm'/assault by' the usepf reasonable force.'If it; were, simply! a matter of Collins pushing a .drunken man out : of- thb way, ,: and by. misadyenturo tlio man was.'fatally -injured, it ivbifld , be a'.'yery•.regrettable matter/ but' .riotVari. offence.' J; On/.the other hand, if morp •than .reasonable: force/were, used,- and one or,'more'.violent \ blowsHw'ere.struck,;■.■'a'rjd' if' that..conduct was. unnecessary under the cir-' •punistarices, ; tlienr.it was/nn assault, .and if,' ■!the' man' were: killed;"it , -would resolve "itself into, the brime'/of. , .manslaughter.. What tho; ■.Grand Jury.had to/.investigate:.was -whotlier mofcj; -force- than: : wa.s necessary : was used by Colliiis himself and the lady from interference by Ferguson, or to enable them to get-out of; the house. It was hie duty to point-out thiit five or six, probably more, witnesses'spbko/! to what in their opinion was . iinreaspnablb ;force,. involving actual; -. deliberate Collins on two or three, distinctoccasidns./ ~;//:-:.'.;'. . -•;/. ./ /

.///With/..regard to the casp: of indecent -assault,; /it was probable tliat tho vic•tini would not be called, as her name hud hot boon ascertained. It did not matter that tho, victim was not called as n witness. If tho "evidence showed that prisoner had committed an assault, a true bill, should be found. In conclusion, his Honour afsain'.'re-,'ferred-to the leiigtli of the calendar,,' He. pointed but'that, during hplklay seasons persons of criminal, tendencies wefo attracted to a city like Wellington, which was/also a large seaport. On, the whole,: he ./did'..not think that there' had , been an undue amount: ofcrime. InWelliiigton the iritereste.of.the people were well safeguarded by tho police.' , --.--' ; C ! ;.;''; ,! : : .;;!jiTRUE/BILLS.;/ < ; :}' : ': : \-' ■". The ; Grand: Jury '■■ found true bills in respect 'of/the:fbllb\ying chargos:—/,., ;■ Joseph Norman,, attempted, niurder,:"Wellingtoiu.. , :■• "•'■:■■'.■.•. ■/.;■:.'.• .-■■■,-' ... '■".. Charles) Thomas \ Scoririge, theft ■ from;, a dwelling,'.Welhiigton.: : /- ■ -, '■■'_■ ■; ; '; /

Joseph Delich, alias Joseph : Dauto, theft, two charges, Wellington. John O'Grady, assault and robbery,- Wellington. ■ /~' . John Pechugin and Stephen Ferdinand Nickelsen, harm, Wellington. V, ; Win. .M'Neil and John M'Cormick, assault and . robbery, Wellington; '■ -. .John M'Cormick, assault, .and robbery, Wellington. • : : Norman Frascr, aliasßrazier, assault and robbery, Wellington. . Frederick Arnold, criminal,, assault, Wei-. I lington. ■..-'Edward Richard Black,,breaking, entering, ' and theft (six charges), Masterton. . ' . May. Tanner,- breaking, entering, and theft, and receiving stolen, goods, 'Wellington ;, and ..same on .a second similar chargo. -•• . . ... Edward • Richard. Black, assault and robbery, Wellington. '-/,•. . Edward John Searl, forgery, Wellington; > • John O'Keefe; sheep-stealing, Featherston/ , Henry William, alias .Watson .Harry, alias Fienburg, breaking ahd entering;: Wcllincfton. : Milfred George Burgess,; breaking anil entering (eleven -charges).'..... ; j : . .Murfill, forgery, Napi'ar. . ' THE VIVIAN STREET FATALITY. NO BILL. ; With , regard to tho-following charge/ no. bill'.was found: — ' ; . Robt. Charles l Collins, manslaughter, Wellington. V . -i. ... , : . / When. the _ decision' of: the Grand Jury .'in connection .with/this charge was made known, his Honour obsorved that he: could not'say, lie' disagreed . with : tho. finding. The - evidence was, ho added, of an inconclusive tfa-; ture.;;} :■! PRISONERS SENTENCED. A YOUTHFUL FORGER. Qeprgo .Woodley,. a lad, , was set forward in connection with two charges of forgery in regard to!which.he had pleaded -guilty. A 'His Honour said lie, noticed that' prisoner •had previously' been, convicted; at Palmerston Ntirtii,of theft.-: In a'letter which/prisoner: had addressed to him ho had stated that he did- not ..know that' the offence of forgery, was a'.serious, crime,.l;He<would therefore ; poiiit out to him that it,was an offence of aserious nature. . It. was to bo regretted that prisoner .was'.'tdo.iold .'to'.be ;sont, to a: reforniatbry, school.-He .would/comply: with a request made - by ', prisoner- and . ask the prison' authorities , to.'have; him' kept /separate.' from' hardened, criminals. Perhaps the authorities mi^ht:see:fit;to.have-prisoner, removed from the. prison to a reformatory,;/where : they ;.woul3 detain him iintil/he. attained the age of 21-years. The sentence .of the Court- would be.l 2 months'' imprisonment with hard labour.' THEFT FROM A DWELLING. , -.Frederick W. Danderson, alias Anderson, a .young 'man', .was presented; for sentence on. a charge of theft. frdm a dwelling at'.Wavr eriey. ''/V • His Honour said ha noticed, in a, state-ment'-whicli .prisoner had / handed' to himy that he: Said he bore a ;'gdo.d -character; As a . matter , of fact prisoner . had previously: been .convicted of -vagrancy and .of.-assault, causing bodily, harm;- r INO doubt- there was a' good deal of truth in prisoner's plea that drinlc . -was the' cause' of his trouble, but the public had to be ..protected.; Prisoner had; got- into a house i and,,; stolen a considerable ■;amount of, property;/ 1 Ho would /bo imprisoned for two. years with: hard labour.' : -.-/.,' ■' HOUSEBREAKER RECEIVES FIVE YEARS. :' Wro.-; Gustavo.;Blinri,-.alias; Williams, alias Blimb, who had pleaded guilty to a chargo ;of having; entered-the. Hotel- Bristol at ,iiight with, intent to commita crime, pleaded-for leniency. . :;/.:-a,.. -.-. ;>■:■;-'-v/. .: His Honour, emphasised the gravity of the' offence.,. :: The* , grounds". on-i which prisoner asked. that .leniency bo extended to hini' wcrothat he Swished to: leave: New Zealand and iwas. an unfortunate man. ,In 1004, the year '.in- which ~ prisoner had : -:arrived'.;in -thev'Do•mihion,; he; w'as at Auckland sentenced to live , : years', ,imprisonments/for:/'' burglary,- arid to term for: having/ihquse-brcakirig-tools, in his possession; . .Prisoner; had.;.only 4 just .been released/ when .'ho. wns found . in the Hotel Bristol under, circumstances which . ; indjcated/that 'he intended to' commit a; rob-. .bcry. It.better-for a lhan, of prisoner's class/to/bo/sentenced to a fairly long term of, imprisonment.... Ho would order him' to be.''incarcerated:..for /-live - years with- -hard labour. ' •' .•/ r-:

;• ;; ;;.THEFT;OF JEWELLERY;;" : : ; '■'•'■-\ ' James'/Kay; Horsefieldy: a young man'who had pleaded .guilty to ,;n■■-'charge'.of/breaking, pritorin'g , and .theft •at-.Dannoyirke, was -ropre'sented; W Ur, : Wilford,' whb^saicl , :his:-client's ■downfal(;^s; ;to drinkv-:/.';;)/ ';>[ ■? ;•;'// :i :His,pHonbi(rVppjrited put : that .prisoner: had ■previously; been of theft, ./and/ on /being'released -on c,ondition;that he oame/up for ;when callecl upon;-he had been .leniently;; dealt .'with;: Tho offence ■ on' , /this occasion: was a n ' impudent one; It-appearea, Jhat, prisoner: st)olb,froni;a;shop a'considerable'' quantity' of, jewellery;'; ;\ .:-.;; - l . . ■,:-.-, -/■ / ; ■; Counsel V , The; goods, liayp been , returned. ~ ■!,; His: Honour.: said !hp /would/'not:upas's ;an unduly,:. ; severe 'sentence; ; Prisbner' must bo imprispneil, forj two;years- with;hard ;labour. ; ; ,: ,V:' ;,: :; ; ; v/'A j: strA'Nge" : 'case;-': >; :' - ; ■ ■'' v, /./Edward Marr'a, /.a .'young; man; * .was; then placed, in .tho'dock for sentence' on -'a : charge of breaking" and enter,ing ■■ and, theft'-' at, ■Palraerstoii:North.,.- ■ .' :•;'■; /■' ;; . , V ,■ '• v Mr.'.Wilford, ' : who ropreseuted 1 tho prisoner> said that/his client was ./a : first .offender. Prisbiter's; pifencp' Was: a'; remarkablo ,ono.' In r broad : .daylight,.prisoner, smashed in a plate-" glasswindo\v,:got through into a shop; and was found; iii/possession of/certain property.; "Ho would ask that prisoner '■■'be' ordered to come up for sentence whoii called .upon. ': . V ■■;:His .'Honour said it. appeared /that, prisoner-' was. sobbrvat'thb/tinie./, The!;shop which ho. broko'into, and under a; counter of which he •was.found;.was opposite a ."Ho , wouli /want. ;,to .know. , nipro: about prisoner's ;previous/character beforb,lib':sentenced him. ';His present opinion, was that'lie'could not. avoid punishing him. > .He would order prisoner to ' be .again, brought before him on. Monday, next.':, , ■;,..-'•■ '.:,-,j'":■/■ / ■—■■".•■,'.■■;' : , /"' '.-■.■■ ■■■, .. /.FIVE YEARS' FOR/CATTLE-STEALING; ;; ..■'. Samuel,Beswick, 54 yeare'of who Uad [■pleaded, guilty-'to. six' charges or stealing in: .all. 90 head.of cattle in the Napier'-'district,' was, also, set forward'for sonteiice; ■/ ':'■■ Mr. Hordman, on behalf, of prisoner, said, .his client had hitherto ■•borne l an excellent' reputation. '■'■ He,-would .liko,/to;:call. evidence' to that/effect.: -/■['■- :''--' : .: ■"/ , ' r.■'■.-■■'' : - ; "His Honour-: Whati ; is" the good of such evi-' •;dencp. in, view of the circuriistßrices connected with the offence? -• v :' ; -:/:!.'-; / ■■■' ■:'■■'■' ~- Coiinsbl:. It,. woiiJd ; appear :that . prisoned had suddenly fallen into, temptation./.i;. ,: i ; His / Honour:; : Prisoner ./was. .'■■'. appointed, manager of a station. During .thb hye. or. six months which, he occupied thepositioriy , ho 'unlawfully sold,cattle of- a total value'of £400. 'Counsel: Most of' : these •.•"■ hayp ■ been / *ecovpred; / He.'tells: mo that ho received .no money from the owners of, tho; station tb meet disbursements. If was, ho says, in order to. ■moetVaccounts that,he sold the;stock, and ho thought there was.no lmrm in his action. ; His Honour: Thb evidence, shows that accused entered, into an arrangoineht .wiiJi .various'butchers for Jiis own personal profit. It had/to' be'.bbrne in mind that.prisonpr, had' betrayed a:trust, and that the offence,' Was very hard to dotcct. He would'not bo ■justified: in dealing with him leniently ...The sentence.of the Court , wpu]d bo that priabner. '.bo sent, to: gaol. for 'five years with, hard .■'.'■" ■ : ■'.■■.'■'':./';',';' ''■- ,; : ; - FORGERY AND UTTERING; -; ;'v - . .David Herbert; Carvossoj a/young man, who had pleaded guilty to a charge of forgery and uttoriiigat Mastertoii, was represented by/Mr. Weiton, who stated that at one timb prisonor was employed in a bank, but was dismissed 'because ho gave way -to drink. /Subsequently prisoner /had spent a good deal of time -iii the country /districts endeavouring, to obtain work.-. When ho committed the pffeiice he wasvery hard up. His Honour said prisoner had' that morning been sentenced to three, monthe' imprisonment by/'the Magistrate on charges ■lndcpoiideht. of , the .one in cbnriection with which ho was now about to/be sentenced. ; He /would impose a. .sentence .of ... twolvb months,, to be' concurrent' with- the ouo, to which he,had just referred.' ' , ../'

DANGEROUS CHARACTERS GAOLER Omrigiq Tplley and Chas. Henderson, who. had entered pleas of guilty in respect of six charges of breaking, entering, and theft at Mastertori and .Cartortbn • intimated .that they had nothing to say why sentence .shouldnot. be-passed on thoni. .-..,. ';.'• ■■■•.. Addressing prisoners, his ..■■Honour . said: You men .seem: to have; kept the residents of llastertoji'.and Carterton:very busy. -Yoii went ; into bix: separate places and committed theft. , ' It is.clear, that both of you are very ;dangerous characters/:. I sentenco both -of you toseven years'-imprisonment; with hard labour., ... ' ';•. . , ,'. .. SEVEN YEAES FOR BREAKING-AND;':/. '::;\ ■ ;.. centering, v .■„; ,-■■■-.■. ;;.'.'■ : Harry Henrikson, ■ who had pleaded guilty to two .charges ■ of breaking , and entering, was set: forward for-sentence'- His Honour said prisoner': had previously been convicted: on.. several occasions: ",ol iheft and.;:. housebreaking. He was. not quite sure that he. had not jurisdiction to declare him an.habitual [.criminal)- butVas he., had .some" doubt on: the matter lie would not. adopt that .course;: Prisoner, was evidently a dangerous character. He-would be imprisonedifor BBven years with hard labour. ~;....- ■:; v : .;-!•••■■.■:■-,-., : ; ■ "The only way to meet these esses .is to lopk up dangerous men like 'you for a long period," •■ observed his Honour as ..prisoner, was: being removed from the dock. '.': :. -\ , ; " HEAEING>OF CHARGES. .''', '■.;.:>:■{ ;■■; A NOTORIOUS HOUSEBREAKER. : ;,- Milfred' .George Burgess,:.2l ■ years of age, was■',charged ;witk—(l) Oh October 19/ breaking and entering the dwelling of John Mitchell)' and stealing goods -valued at £6 ss. y (2) on; September 28,.'breaking and'entering' the dwelling ..of Wm.E. Williams, and stealing goods valued at £14 2s. 6d.; (3) on October 8: r breaking and^.-entering the dwelling of Edward Willis, and stealing, goods, yaluedat £17 lQs..; (4). on 'October 16, breaking , and entering the dwelling of:.Athol ,AV. .-Waters, ; and stealing .goods valued ;at. £2 35.;: (5) on.October 26, breaking and entering the dwelling of Wm. and'stealing goods valued at £1.6 :135.; (6). : on : September . .25, breaking and entering,, ; the..dwelling' of Fran-, cis H. Coate, .aud stealing- goods valued at £2 12s. - y (7). on October 26,. at. "Upper Hutt,- ; breaking I'and entering the dwelling of Henry:. GeoV ■ Wilton and goods :valued at£8;.(8) .on October 28,-.atTSarori,',. breaking andentering the dwelling of Chas.. B.;:Mann,' '•'end; stealing goods-valued at £7 ; . 10s.;'.(9);on October 19, at Brooklyn, breaking-and entering .-the. dwelling.of John Wm; Bell; and stealing .goods valued-: at £8 7s; ,6d.: (10) on October 10, at'.tho Lower 'Hutt, breaking-and'-, ontoring the dwelling of Percy" Stacey, and ' stealing goods' valued at'£32 7si 6d. |'(11)' on. September '24,: breaking.and-irentormg. the' .dwelling of Thos. Bryant, 1 and stealing..-goods- , valued at|£2'ss; .;•::':■.,:■;'/ ; : ,j: \ .'.'.--.■:..'-.; - ;Priconer; : ,'who . was' "represented -by- .'.Mr. Wcston;.pleaded guilty. -~v .:•;' •"■?,"■-.'■ '-•'.. '! When.lie was brought before the Magis-' trate,.' prisoner : also admitted having committed the following'offences,, seritenco; being deferred:—-Breaking and entering the\dwell- ■ , ! ing of. Patrick". Ja's.:-Morari, : at 'Island , Bay,' and stealing goods, valued- at £8 75. : 6di,. and ■money'.totalling £2 11s'., 'and^breaking 1 - and: ■ entering the dwelling ; of. Rhbda:Grey, .Lower: -Hutt,' and.'stealing goods .valued-at £4 -155..'. .Mr. : W^eston*.-asked ;that -in .view; of -his client's ''youth, only .a.moderatb, 'sentence should :bo imposed. Prisoner had, .he■ said, : not. :previousjy '.besn convicted in Now ,Zea-■la-hd.-;,:"-.-'--- 1 - : '(:^ : \i ■"••'.>■ v>'C';P ; .'.-'i ; -V:.v ; .;v''s■;.';;' His: Honour; But he>. has an ..enonnous.list' :in Aiistralia.- "■}■ ■■■<'■ ..J;" ■;-•; •;'.;!'-- : .h-v'•'■•:! : ''■■ .Priso.nor: . If : I had; not! been out:"of work I would never have: done wrong. He - had fallen: in witli bad companioiiß, and had not been 'successful in'-getting.' rid.of them. ' ■ -;,. ..\ His -Honour, read .the list -of '. conviction s recorded against prisoner in' Australia; .-.lt included seyerarsente'ricos for three years for , '■',■'■:)■:•■:■!■. : '. Y.\- ■ - i:;.-: : .; prisoner,,; his' Honour Asaid: ' Any Application for j leniency ...vis - u.seles.9: in you. na.u .'a' : criminal V.record bofore -yon ■■ came' liorO,;andsincej'you .have,.been'in the Doniiniqii.you .haye'/ also -.piled-.'up ii considerable' "record..; , .: ; ■■': '/■•■'.vmt. [ >}^'-.' :^r' ; '-:,\''j:-:'-

. . Prisoner t' Nobody!: cbujd.-have. tried ■;harder to bo honest.'v-'- ,'.'■ - ~ ! '"■!• '..•' ' '•V , -~ ''■ ■'; ''■'■' : - r His .'Honour :(cpntinuing)'said: You pleaded and here you. have' entered a Similar -plea' in' reßardjtofpur/indictments,'involving eleven: independent offences. And 'yet your counsel asks .thai ■ybu:might,bo/]enient]y/denlt with: The safety of the public requires that.'yoti. should : b6;prevented from '/keeping the .-.pppii-j latiou\ pt this city ; inVa ; state';of.exciteinbnt.' I shall .sentence;you w> isev.en /yeats'l imprisonment r with ■ hard labour,"and , declare ; ,you: 'an habitual criminal. : ; :-.; ';,?: ; 'ih'i : '.-: ."/■'.';/'..'■

■-. ■~,;: /THEIY FROM. >; DWELLING; S;: ■.■' , "'Hβnry/^illia^ls, : ■■alias; ; Watsoh■'Ha^^T ) ■aljils• l)'ienburg, 'was., indicted' for'; that oh. January 15 -ho did, at Wellington,' .break :and.-. enter |tho. :dwelling-hpuse/of: John aud ; steal therefrom, the suni' of ..AVGcI.-■:;'.:.', A plea' of. guilty' was.entered by' prisoner who was not' represoiited.by counsel. ::;., ■'.•-." Prisbiior said that he. came to the Dominion' ishprtly. after the conclusion of the Bopr.War. 'Ho Tiad;:been very unlucky in -tlie.matter of' getting ; infb .trouble: ( pould he get. a chance so that , 'lie.might return. H'his -father?./:: -""■'•: '-Hia .Honour, referring'to the list of previous, convictions: recorded /ingainst prisoner, saidyit- wouldv-appear.', that/ho- ljad. been .in gaol .practically all ■'.. the '■' time he had-been in New-Zealand.;,"And,".-added his HpiioUr, "you 'will ihave; to. stop, thprp;', ;some'-, time' longer; ,:I, jriight;.teil*you.that : it -is ncaijly. ,withiii : my power ! tp, declare; yoir.an .habitual 1 criminal:'. i' ; You. are to; five years' liard -labour.";'.'■ ■; y;?\■'■■■. ■:.■.'. i ■■SERIES : .OF :CRIMJES"aT MASTERTON. : • Edward Riohard Black,/a;young inari, :was charged ; with : having,-;at, Masterton, .'broken into 'and .'entered and stolen t'r'oin thes,dwell-iiig-houses:of the followihgpersons:—FredW. 'Toniple,/'Agnes. Uell '.YateS,: : : Mary '< Treader, Hannah -Day, Evelyn: 'John' ; ->V right, "aud Heorgo Edward,Allen.. ;'..'■:' >■;;■•:' ':';':'..'. : y : -'--"■'■ ; Prisoner; ,'who.was ; ;; not : represented j by counsels pleaded.,guilty.(.;,; ;;.-;■ /•;■...;■ i .' liv';reply'-.to' the usual, question), prisoner, said: -L have .nothing,.to ■; say :'why senteuco should:not bo pagsed.on:nie< v >: '.. .-: :: ..' i 'After:. reading':but ■ the -list.of.; conyictions : previously recorded .against, prisoner, his Honour- observed ...that it ■ was a great: pity, to see young .men like; prisoner /hardened 'criminals'. . .Kβ'-would aentenco him to seven years' imprisohment with; hard; labour,;.and declare him an. habitual criminal.; ',: :,>■>.'. V "That is. the -only, way to keep, you from mischief," added his .Honour..,- ' •-■;... left, the dock:smiling.;;/ ■■■ ■■/■■ .... ■ ■ 'ATTACK ON A GAOLER.; ' /'..Joseph Norman,, a foreigner,;was charged ; with: having attempted to murder : Alex ; Afmsti'ong,,' governor of\: the , ; Terraco Gaol,; by. 1 striking hiiri with.ari-;instrument.-;in the.back of: .the neck. ■;:;■'; . : ./':.: 'v .;-.,''. : : .>.;:-/ -. - Questioned, as to ivhether he pleaded guilty prisoner said: To attempted iriurdor P - Ohj'i no: /. i ■ His. Honour: Do' you '■ guilty, to any. -of the counts of the ihdictmeiit. .. ./: ;'."-.■■'.' '■ ./Prisoner's reply was vague, so;his Honour said'he would take it, that, prisoner pleaded "iiot guilty." ;■■ .-./-j" ;/.'*':.:'-./ / ;.; His Honour: Do you 'want an 'interpreter ? —1 don't, carp. ..'•..■ .;...-,../. .. ' : ■ You seem, to', understand. English all right ?: —Yes, I/understand it... <" .'...//. .'. Dr.; Gilmoiv described; the injury sustained by prosecjitor. It ; consisted of a sovero wound 'on. tho,;right. side of .the. neck. The wound nrns very serious, on account .of its position'. If it had >. boon matlo . a fraction of . an inch to the side', it would/most certainly/have proved 'fatal.' J As'-it was prosecutor, was -hi a dangerous state for , some 'days! Tho instrument' by means, of which the wound was ,'inado must have- boon used with considerablo' force. : / : ■".■'''■.■"'/'■',■'''"/;/-'■. '■ ."■■ : Prispnor: Do you think aiiy man, in his right senses would/have struck another man .for nothingi I —Not. without reason/-/ 'I .'.Prisoner: AVhat was the ; that stuff which was -put on my I was .in i'the prison?— Nothing harmful, I can assure 'you.-, .-V: / ,; ■ , .■;.."" : ■ -.-.■'.' : '... ~■";-.■ ' ■ '.■../". Prosecutor , stated that--on .the date in question; prisoner -was working; in tho car-: penter's ,tho giiol.; He (prosecutorj had occasion 'to' go into tho shop. to .give instructions, to a. warder. Whilst; ho'was standing with his baclc "towards : the prisoner he waa struck oa the baok of the'necL' As " -'■■■'. \ ■ '■' ' ■■'■ ' ■'■. :■'.:■■' ■■ ".-■- •'■ .■..'-/■

prisoner struck him lie said "Ugh" in a loud voice, and then ran out of the shop. : : Prisoner: Was 1' not" treated 'badly 'at the gaol ?—Mr. Armstrong :-You were treated just as well as tho ; others.- . ■r .-o , ; Wore.' not-. attempts . made!' to'.^isbn■'. mo'' before and. after:.this Affair You made 110 complaint'cither to v the visiting justices, the'doctor,-.or-myself.-i. ';. V;'; .; I.'was. sent^ced\to> ; vtwor-years^:imprisbh--; nient'only,-'not'to bo jaison'ed; r asTwelH-rr7. : ,. f . .'- His Honour: Do;you, r msh :to'! 'ask-.the.'.wit-,.! "ness any more questions?— N0..l Ho., : is-.hq gentleman : he is a liar. .... .'.-y'. , Evidence in. support of .tho. charge . waß also given by Charles: WeyhurnV'tHd 'wirder who witnessed theCocctiffgdcev v.-; Subsequently a • letter','! " -'wbicli' '"had' -been .written . by was read. ; . l'risoner therein-expressed regret for ' his; action and requested':- that—m6rij .might be extended to liim.' ■ His Honour:. Is that-your -letter?— Yes, but: what is in it is-..'j»ot T .<»fte^>'f-~r - ;. : f3 : .-.: :. Asked whether I 'ha wish'ed c to." give' 4 evideiice prisoner, -saidl ,am hot " feeling . well, : arid! if I gavo .."evidence I .•"would only make; a fool of myself. : .'His Honour:' y.liat-.is "the with' you?— Prisoner ma'do a : ramblihgTstatem'eht,' :in the 1 course of- whicli-'ho declared -that 1 he bad been.; treated : wbrse' : .tliari ;a-.dog/.',; •, -Tho jury, which retired at" 3-30, returnedat' 6.5,' with; a verdict , df/.'gffilty.\of-Tvouhding and !doing actual 1 bodily harm with-the intension of. doing grievous ; bodily : ; r . ; His 'Honour said: he v.-ould -ifo'tat! : present! pass; seiitenco. r He, wanted;' the" '■prisoner- ■ to" be examined, by two. medical nien N fdr. ; the. pur-! pose of ascertaining whether ho .was sane or insane. ; Ho would. order ; '!.him":to ":be" ; 'brought up for,sentence on Monday, at 11 a.m. ,', ;i ALLEGED CRIMINAL ASSAULT. ,; Frederick Arnold,'-'a: middle-aged' man,-}rho-was defended; by ,Mr. Kirkcsildie, ■ pleadednot guilty to a'. charge of ...haying.! committed, a! criminarassault Jahuafy . ' • .The public were' excluded.; from the Court' during the hearing of the-case. —. The.jury, which retired at 5.45 p.m.,-re-turned at 6. o'clock,' and ;asked >: His, Honour, to. be allowed' to' reduce ythe' charge-:to " one of common assault. Upon His Honour acced-. ing .to the' request,y a? 'v.erdict;. i bf;..cpniinoii. assault was • ; His Honour: :tence he.;vrould-.' require' some, information : .as to prisoner's- character,' position, and antecedents. ; i V"';-.!.':;!,! !:iX:. ';v'.4 1i; .!-' ; >-; 1 - 1 •!'! Prisoner was Reminded until' Monday next. *:!. The ; Court-, then,!' adjourned.y 1 until .this morning. ; T !:.' !,.'■'■; : -:!: ; !;;f-;i:v'. : ;."' i < CIYIL SITTING. RESERVED JUDGMENTS. " " CLAIM FOR COMMISSION. -, Judgment was ! delivered by . Mr. Justice. Wm. C. Pago (appellant} v. ( Henry Baker, !land agent I .(respondent),yv 1 v. The facts in this brought-'an actioi.in against 1 Page "for. commlssionian connection : with the exchange of,!certain. properties., ; : ;Tho. point in, dispute :.was whether Baker was entitled to commission, notwithstanding that' the ; contract for;, exchange■ ; .was'*-unable'jib -be 1 carried through, owing" t'o" the provisions -.'of. the'Publio' Works! Aotj-'rpTohibiting'a ceittiniy: portioii.yof. the, land-.beirig!"siibaividq'df -'rDr:: M'A'rthnr, -S-My,;- held. .hb. was.'required' ■•h¥d! p!racUi , dd ! a purchaser: with': whom-'Pago entered into ! a binding.; contractile.- iiai3A -hot fguaraiiteea-'.: tor the:; purchaser-'s;''::title r tTieyp¥Q^^ had he! beeu requested .to.'!dd'''so therefore (gave judgment'! fo'ryßakeiy for; iSO, i; -tho; full amount 'claimed,':.w^ . principal ' ground: qui ..w i hich ; '!-Pag6!!!.]iow:, ap4! pealed was that tho judgment of ; the'.ivagis- 1 trate.was erroneous in.ppint'-of law. inasmuch, as tho contract for! exchangG-'was unenforcGablo. as 'specific; performance! could not. havoi btion, granted, and^vthefefpfeV^Bakfe^couldl- - claim; commissiok. ioon !'.tafwir9dd'.bj > - tf:

;-, His :;Honriur.vheld: '■ tnafriaccoriing^tb;"th : e; .■contract.';:mado( : -Ba_ker,'-?ui.';'o"rde'r. :; 'to■bei;bnie. 'entitled., to'ia ■ ;a ;salpj;;pi' : ;aiv exfihange:^f ;, 'Eage , s^prb}ierty. v Baker ,'intvod(i(!ed; Page 't'o , -<Mr.?io/'J.G.i'.'--Pe6rßJ :; ior^whqm, i 'h6";.was ; suggested. oxchangeT.was; iriadeY btfc'PgsYs Itvtfs aiiiijjleT to carry '."out- an exchange; 'because.'his landdid npt;have a : frontag&.t'6-a:pvblic;ibad"66ftV of ; his .]and,';but..b'nly ■Pago!e; fault--thatV-tho eoiViiraot^as'.^ibt. fcir.but ■soiiv.tb .whoni Baker. intrbfluceid .-liinihad.-.iiot".'-tho capacity op acconr.t. : bf 'the; \t6Sion stated salo :of/.tlie land; ) bo : al-' lowed ~with: ;it Jwas^' thrvt. Jiidgment; Nbe enteiotl : iif ."4ho"fMagis-: tratc's Court in.fayonr'br Page with cosfe.^.:>. , : Mr: Beere appeared foHihe, appellant/and. Mr. J 'Blair for rospbnderit:r":^""^'v' ' ;; .-'With/respect' : tb of supormteriderit V^bfi.jna'rine' ; ■(app'ell^nt);j l :y.' Capt;'; , Siitcliffe (respondent)'/' 'and- • Captaiiv' .Sittcliffe,. (appellant) v.;-G-.."G.-iSmffli'''(fespp'n-; : dent),'judgmerit.waßbho4eliyored.iThesoAverb' cross appeals" from: a iudgment;pf,,Mr.' W.iG;' itifldell, -S.M.■;;•;-Th'^ factsviyere^thati gust, 1908, Captain Sutcliffo, ; -who' js;;mastpr.;df ,lh6.'s.s'.;Tongarirbj"'ttaiisferrecl: d-.fjremair . : s.'s. lliinutaka,;..which 'was 'ledvo. Wellingtofi; under,a .New , . Zealand : Co.,;; y men engage, to'accepfc..transfer to; zrifof J tib; corapany's niagPstrate held: that. law, and : that the. seaman's engagbmeht was not terminated by thetransferyand he therefore.- refused' to'. , .- convict .■■.Cap't'aih---:Sutcliffe' ) ; : under;Sectionyss -of:theyShip'ping-.'and-'Sea-, ■nien's';Act,iU9o3,.for paying Young's'-.wages' and discharging him; from ■.the ship .without the presence of -the, supenhtendentjof.mariiio. •He, (however,.' cpnvicted,'him,'. urideriSpctibn; 56 of thovAct, for'neglecfcing",to-givb.YpunE;-"'a'-certificate ; of disoharge'hffom,. the The ' superintehdpnt: : rorii :: lthe- dbr. cision 'on Section;sS of .the/Act, rand 'Captain Sutcliffe. from';the decision: on Sectidn 56r% ; " V; His Honour; found in*fa;vpur ; -pf ■tlie-supef-. intendontmr'ogard:to,.the.information'charging Sutcliffe' }vith.. iiot .having' 'observed., the necessary, formalities 3ir' discharging the;fireman.: It was'.brderedj'.therofdre,' that tho, ; information ; .=be;..rremStted..toJ'the : magistrate with a'direction : ,to convict;..-With-.regard to/the, second iinformatibn-charging. Captain SutcHffe failbd-- to : give the fireman' : a ■ certificafe , .pf "discharge;-■'jus' Honour;held v that.'the: magistrate's''decisiori' in convicting, Captain..Sutoliffo;4'as i ''.cprrect;' Each ;.partv; was i ordered jo; pay: costs as hnd;beeli. : ; ;■■ ;'Atxthe s; argumenti Miv Hr:p^^Befli;'fecHappeared: on behalf of Mr;; Smithj.: anil ",kn-. H.. Johnston for': Captain • Sutcliffe: v ■.V-γ.: