NEW PLYMOUTH.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3232, 8 November 1881, Page 3

NEW PLYMOUTH.

■•••-• November 8. The Supreme Court was opened yesterday by Judge Gillies. Ia addressing the Grand Jury His Honor said be would be wanting in his duty if he ignored the circumstances of the position of the district, in which large bodies ofarmed men were assembled on active service, and be took leave to remind them of the constitutional principle that the employment of an armed force was only justifiable either under the authority of Parliament in repelling armed aggression, or in aid of tbe curt arm of the law when that arm had proved powerless. In any other case the use of armed force was illegal, and a means to destroy the liberties of the people. He entertained an earnest hope that the events of the last few days would have the result of maintaining peace and the permanent establishment of order within the district. Thomas Campbell, for horse stealing, was sentenced to eighteen months. William Ralph Rose, for robbery, received two years. William Hopkinson, for larceny, was acquitted. No bill was found in the case cf Coyle v. Gibson. Judge Gillies commented more than once upon the apparent eagerness of the police to convict persons of crime ; their object should be to obtain justice, not conviction. (For continuation of news see fourthpage.)