SUPREME COURT

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10303, 14 June 1927, Page 2

SUPREME COURT

QUARTERLY SESSION OPENS.

CRIMINAL BUSINESS LIGHT

“There arc four criminal oases for consideration, which is not quite such a, good record asGisborne generally lias, but it is a lot better than at the last session when there were two murder trials,” said Bis Honor Mr Justice Ostler, addressing the grand jury at the quarterly, session of the Supreme Court in Gisborne, which commenced yesterday morning. The Orand Jury to whom these concluding remarks were addressed Were: Wm. H. ■ I rvino (foreman), J. J. Keane, James L. Kirlcer, Charles D. M. Rosie, Clins. Adair, Jas. S. ■Vilen, Win. McCullough, Herbert R„ ’Newitt, Robt, •)/. Kerridge, Frederick H. Brabant, Forbes W. Riftc-h, Leonard A. Friar, tiro. Nicholl, Max R. Fry, Thos. F. Crawford, Robt. Robertson, Alexander Bayly, Samuel C. Clare, Elworthy I’. Dodd re 11, Ivan H. O’Meara - , Stanley Muir, Allan L. Muir, Frederick T. Robinson.. in his charge, His Honor said that four eases required their consideration and reminded them that their duty was merely to ascertain if a prime facie case was established against the accused to warrant placing them on their trial. The first ease was that of alleged robbery and assault (there being three charges against him as a result of an episode at Tokomani Bay on Monday last). The victim of the affair, an old man named Robb, bad been drinking in a hotel with Ferris, the former later going along the beach road, Ferris following him. Then followed a dispute between the two men, Rob!) being knocked down, losing money from his pocket. At least two women saw the assault so there would lie no difficulty in finding a prima facie. There was also a charge of cattle stealing ageinst- a Native, Wnrihi Waihi. The evidence was (hat a drover bringing cattle down from the Coast was approached By Waihi who had about 18 cattle, asking him to take his cattle into the herd lie was droving. However, at midnight, Waihi again approached the drover, asking him to draft the 16 herd of stock out. saying that “they were after him.” The drover refused, hut drafted the cattle out from the herd next inorn'.ng. lie did not think this .case would present any difficulty for the jury. 'J lie other two eases were similar in nature, against father and son, named Brosnahan, who were charged with making, false returns to Dalgetys under a stock mortgage. As the father had frankly admitted making false returns himself and that his son had also made-false documents, but at his instigation, His Honor pointed out that there was sufficient to warrant- placing the men on their trial. Common jurors were then sworn in as follows:-—Geo. Atkins, Robt. Atkin, Elijah R. Atkinson, Edward Ballantyne, Norman C. Bartlett, W. I). Christie, Hy. Craill, Frederick J. Davies. Wm. S. Davidson, John Dunstnn. Herbert Eves, Norman A. Gandc)l, Robt. Gartsliore, Charles, A. Goldsmith. Michael Guthrie, Harold Ireland, James H. James, John T. Johnson, Charles Kimber, Robert Little. TJy. .John Rougher (Senr.), Frio Frederick Maher, Charles E. McDonald, Wallace L. Mitchell. W. 0. Michic, Wm. 0-. Morrison, Stanley D. Nathan, James Newton, Alt. S. Parker, Hv. Parnell. Sydney H. Phillips, Andrew Scholium, Patrick F. Saxton, Chas. Shann. John R. Shaw. Allan Slight. Thos. P. Smalc, Wm. C. Smith. Walter Staff, John Stevenson, James Stewart, James E. Sunderland, Sydney U.Tate. Alexander Taylor, John Thorburn, Hugh K. Twi.rrlev, Robt. 3. Wallace. Francis F. Wallen, Michael Walsh. Walter J. White. True bills were returned in all cases.