Wellington Supreme Court.

Hastings Standard, Issue 84, 3 August 1896, Page 2

Wellington Supreme Court.

—♦ HIS HONOE'S CHARGE TO THE GRAND JURY. [By Telegraph] [Special to Standard.] Wellington, this day. At the opening of the Supreme Court, His Honor the Chief Justice, Sir James Prendergast, made but a brief reference to the Kirby case. With regard to the charge against Bassett, for aiding and abetting the escape of Kirby, His Honor said the jury should bring in a true bill if they were satisfied that he knew of the committal of the offence with which Kirby was charged. In referring to the charge of criminal libel against Mr P. S. Cassidy (manager) and Mr Ashbolt (publisher) of the New Zealand Times, His Honor said if the jury were satisfied that the paragraph was defamatory, and that the accused were responsible, they should return a true bill. Lifter. At the criminal session the ordinary cases being disposed of, John Lindsay, 69 years of age, with previous convictions of a similar nature against him, pleaded guilty of forging Mr Martin, Stipendary Magistrate's name to a cheque for £55, and was sentenced to 12 months. James Murray, also an old offender, pleaded guilty to two charges of false pretences and received 18 months hard labor. Wm. Smith, another old hand at the game, with no less than fourteen convictions against him, was sent up for 18 months. Henry Rigg, alias Way, was convicted of receiving stolen goods, and got 12 months' hard labor.