SUPREME COURT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 51, 2 March 1909, Page 8

SUPREME COURT.

[BY TELEGRAPH. — PHESS ASSOCIATION.] INVERCARGILL, This Day. The Supreme Court session opened before Mr.* Justice Williams. There are only four cases against six persons. True bills were found in all the cases. John Templeton, aged 54 years, pleaded guilty to sheep-stealing. Counsel applied for probation, as prisoner, who had lived in Southland for 47 years, had an unblemished record. His Honour said sheep-stealing was very common and difficult to detect, and when detected should always be punished, as a deterrent. A sentence of two years' imprisonment, with hard labour was passed. WANGANUI, This Day. The Supreme Court sessions opened before Mr. Justice Chapman, who in his charge to the Grand Jury said it ■ was very satisfactory to find that the total amount of serious crime was extremely small ; in fact, it had become so small as to be quite a remarkable feature of our time. He was extremely •pleased at the absence of crime against women and children, which a ,f ew years ago seemed to have begun to form a feature of the calendars. Only three cases were presented to the Grand Jury, who found true bills in each case. One peculiar case was a charge against a person for advising two burglars how to use gelignite, which had been intended to be used in breaking open a safe at the Economic here. Herbert Hodson, on a charge of stealing from the person, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced- to three months' imprisonment. Arthur H. Campbell, who pleaded guilty to the theft of a "bicycle and accessories, was admitted to probation for two years. William Scott was sentenced to eighteen months' and Albert Way to six months' imprisonment for breaking and entering the Economic premises.

Several cases of typhoid fever have • occurred among the Maoiis attending the Native Land Court at Wanganui. The Maoris, it is pointed out, are not able ■to get suitable quarters at that town, "and many of them have to»Uve in insanitary quarters. The Chief Judge of the Native Land Court is watching the progress of the disease to see if He ranted in adjourning the sitting of the court at that town. Meanwhile- the suggestion has been made that, in view of the difficulty experienced by the Maoris in finding accommodation, and the persistence of the local Chamber of Commerce on the court holding its sittings there, it is advisable that the Government itself should provide a hostelry for the accommodation of the Maoris attending the sittings of the court. An advertisement- in this issue invites citizens to attend the presentation, on Thursday evening, of a requisition to the Hon. T. W. Hislop, asking him to again contest the Mayoralty. The moonlight excursion and enter.tainment at Day's Bay to-morrow evening should attract a large number across the harbour. The grounds and pavilion will be illuminated for the occasion, and water chute and side-shows will be open to the public. The s.s. Duchess leaves the Ferry Wharf at 7.45 p.m., returning from the Bay at 10 o'clock. The Christian Endeavour anniversary -ol the Berhampore Baptist Church. > South-road, yoU be oejebrated thip^even.loff. Rev. Keifh Ewen -.veil! jaieaipX