SUPREME COURT

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 29, 4 February 1936, Page 13

SUPREME COURT

■CRIMINAL SESSIONS

CHARGE OF FALSE PRETENCES

The' quarterly sessions of the Supreme Court commenced yesterday. Mr. Justice Smith presided. The members of the grand jury were Henry Desborough (foreman), Thomas Nbrris, George Carncross Edwards, Harold William Osborn, Alexander Paterson, James Barr Lauchlan, Frederick Hills Johnson, Charles Allan Marris, Thomas Geoffrey Hull, William Thomas Stanley Edwards, Percy Saddler, William Andrew Morland, Charles William Rushbrook, Millward Edward Anderson, Henry Ralph Harvey Chalmers, William Harding Randell, Charles Shaw, James Lindsay Dempster, Henry Coutts Murray. Addressing, the Grand Jury, his Honour said that the average number of criminal cases which came before the quarterly sessions of the Court in Wellington had be<;n eight or nine. For this session there were fourteen indictments against twelve persons, but a number of. the cases did not call for remarks at any length from him. There were, however, two cases to which he might call particular attention. • The first case rested largely on the evidence of an accomplice It would be the duty of the grand jury to consider whether that case should go before the common jury.. The second case was that of a charge of false pretences, in regard to which charge the grand jury must consider whether any false pretence had been proved. Percy William Mills, who was defended by Mr. P. Verschaffelt, pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempting to obtain five cow hides, one calfskin, and 283 sheep skins, of a total value of £98 6s, from Daniel McTaggart by falsely representing, that there' was a skin and hMe firm known as the Manawatu Skin and Hide Company, with business. premises at 75 Campbell Street, Palmerston North, that he was a member of that firm, and.that he was purchasing skins for his firm. Mr. P. S. K. Macassey, Grown Prosecutor, said the facts shortly were that accused called on Daniel McTaggart, a butcher at Feathjsrston, in July last, and represented himjself as a representative of the Manawatu Skin Company. He purchased skins to the value of £98 6d. Inquiries were subsequently made, and it was ascertained that there was no such company at Palmerston North. It was found that on the day he obtained the skins he disposed of skins for a much less price than he said he would pay McTaggart for them. After hearing, the evidence, and counsels' addresses; the jury returned a verdict of guilty. His Honour deferred sentence. BREAKING AMD ENTERING. " Thomas Hudson pfeaded guilty to a charge .-of breaking and entering and theft from a house at Eastbourne, and with stealing £4 19s in money, cigarettes, cigars, razors, and a- pocket watch—valued at £121 His Honour deferred sentence. NO BILLS. No bills were returned in the charges against Edward Norman Connelly of alleged breaking, entering, and-theft; and in the case against Harold Newman, alleged false pretences. The accused were accordingly discharged. TRUE BILLS. True bills were returned, in the following cases:— Thomas John Lucinsky and William Herbert Miller Duncan, alleged conspiracy to defraud the Natiomal. Insurance Company of £625 18s. Jack" Juronovoich, alleged theft, and alternately alleged recovery" -of -the; stolen, property. • *■■'■■-- '■;< !'■■■■■. ■: Eric John' Jones, -alleged false;-pre-tence and alleged breaking arid'enters ing and theft. ...... ... John Gage Leclcy, alleged' bigamy. John 'Sandfoi-d Valybv .-alleged Uieft. ' ••■ ' '■ ■■::,:.:..,:: •..--.. 'Lala Parchotam, alleged negligent driving,.' thereby causing' 'death. -; : ■;;■ ■ Tuhaha Matenga,' alleged'; indecent assault on a female; .: .: Thomas Hudson, alleged:; breaking, and'entering and theft. , ■■■■■-, 1 Percy"'.William Mills, -alleged false pretence."1 .James Logic, alleged wounding of Charles Crooke with intent to do i grievous bodily harm. t '. Barclay Hector, alleged indecent t assault on a female under 16 years of i cg£ (two charges). <i