SMALL CRIMINAL LIST

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 112, 5 February 1935, Page 10

SMALL CRIMINAL LIST

Supreme Court Session

OPENING IN WELLINGTON

The fact that only five indictments were 1 on the list of criminal cases at the first 1935 session of the Supreme Court. Wellington, which opened yes- ■ terday. was commented upon by Mr. Justice Smith ,in his. charge to the grand jury. “I think that is a very moderate number for such a large district as Wellington,” said his Honour. There were four cases involving offences against property and one charge of negligent driving involving the safety of persons. It was a matter of satisfaction that there was no charge relating to sex offences. The grand jury comprised the following: Messrs. S. S. Dean (foreman), C. A. JEdmeatJes, H. Digges-Smith, A. K. Guy, F. H. BlakeJv. T. B. Guscott, N. D. Blair, E. Jenkins, C. F. Murphy, R. H. D. Nichol, J. Maloney, E. C. Jack, J. E. Rawnsley. S. J. Pilgrim, A. Rait, 11. W. Osborn, 11. J. Knight, J. Robertson. R. H. Lee. 11. S. Hart, J. F. Hardgrave. A. G. Rough, J. Thornley. Tluq bills were returned in the following cases: — Reginald Howan, two charges of obtaining money bv a false pretence. Chailes Gordon Maekessack, two charges of obtaining credit while an undischarged bankrupt. Charles Ernest Vickers and Ernest Mabin Gilmour, charged with conspiring to defraud, and with false pretences, jointly, and with false, pretences (two charges against Vickers and seven against Gilmour) generally, * John Stewart, charged with negligently driving a motor vehicle, thereby causing death. . In the case of Hubert Reginald Heath, chained with demanding money by menaces with intent to commit theft, a no bill was returned. ’ v : DUNEDIN SESSION No Serious Crime By Telegraph—Press. Association. Dunedin, February 4. The freedom from serious crime in Otago during the summer months was commented upon by Mr. Justice Kennedy in opening the quarterly criminal sessions in Dunedin. Fopr persons were involved in the charges, which included arson and mischief, breaking, entering, and theft, receiving stolen goods, and jndecpnt assault. After true bills had been returned in all' cases, Henry Watt pleaded guilty to arson and mischief. The window of the firm of A. and J. Watt was broken by stoney, and while this occurred factory premises _ belonging to the same firm were destroyed by fire. "Watt was remanded for sentence.