CRIMINAL TRIALS IN THE SUPREME COURT.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 2, 4 January 1881, Page 2

CRIMINAL TRIALS IN THE SUPREME COURT.

. IUNWBD FBBSS ASSOCIATION.! Chbistchubch, 3rd January. At the criminal sessions of the Supreme Court 22 cases are set down for hearing, including murder, manslaughter, perjury, and concealment of birth. His Honor Judge Johnston expressed regret at the grave character of many of the offences, only one of which could be thought due to the prevailing depression of trade. He told the Grand Jnry that there could be no doubt as to the finding of a true bill for murder against Wairema Wharapa, the Maori charged with killing .his European wife at the Chatham Islands, but, owing to a legal difficulty, the perjury cases against Murphy and Watt could not be proceeded with, and a supplementary session would, doubtless, be necessary, when another case of a most serious nature appeared likely to come on. By this the Judge was understood to refer to the recent shooting case on Christmas Day, Kerisone being now in a dying state. The Grand Jury found true bills in all cases except against Henry Davenport, accused of manslaughter. The perjury cases against Murphy and Watt were held over for the return of the record of the Court from Wellington. The following convictions were recorded :— Charlotte Scarborough and Charlotte Wright for assault, one day's imprisonment without hard labor. The Judge said the case ought never to have come before him. William Smith, for larceny, 18 months' hard labor ; J. Robinson, for two burglaries, 3 years' penal servitude ; W. H. Hewison, for forgery'and uttering, 18 months' hard labor ; Robert Grant, for larceny, 12 months' hard labor; Herman Cooper, for forgery, 18 months' hard labor. Two prisoners (Matthew M'Callum and Alfred Frost), were acquitted. J. C. Millegan, for making a false declaration, and Charles Johnston, for unlawfully wounding, were remanded for sentence. The Grand Jury have to meet again, as several cases are to be still dealt with by them, and it is very probable they will have another charge of. murder to^ consider. The three lads charged with shooting the maa Fearce on the banks of the' Avon River were discharged, the Crown Prosecutor declining to indict two of them, and no bill being returned against the third. This Day. At the Supreme Court to-day, Charles Johnson, for stabbing, was sentenced to six months ; Samuel Mayfield, forgery, two years ; Sarah Brimmiscombe, concealment of birth, six months ; George Norrie, indecent assault, acquitted; Peter Hagland, horsestealing, two years, and breaking from prison, six months.