Supreme Court Sittings.

Hastings Standard, Issue 335, 31 May 1897, Page 2

Supreme Court Sittings.

(By Telegkaph.) (Per Press Association.) Chuistchuech, This day. The criminal sessions of the Supreme Court opened this morning before Judge Denniston. His Honor in charging the grand jury said the cases were with one exception of the usual character. With regard to the Amberley murder case it presented no difficulty whatever. They had the fact that the girl was killed under circumstances which showed clearly that she had been murdered. Then there was the fact that the accused prisoner was seen in the neighborhood where the crime was committed, and he added that they had the statement by the accused under his own hand that he committed the crime. He had nothing further to say on the matter except that their obvious duty was to send the case for trial. The grand jury found a true bill, and Mr Joynt has been assigned by the Court to conduct the defence. He applied for the postponement of the trial for a while, and his Honor said he did not intend to take the case before Wednesday, but Mr Joynt could then make another application for postponement if necessary. William Gear pleaded guilty to stealing a bicycle, and was admitted to probation for 12 months. Albert Findlay was found guilty of stealing a watch and chain. He was granted probation for sis months and to pay £lO, cost of prosecution. Dunedin, This day. The criminal session opened this morning. The Judge's charge said that none of the cases were of a serious character. True bills were returned in all cases except Robert Gilmour, wounding with intent at Arrowtown. Alexander Williams pleaded guilty to three charges of housebreaking. Sentence was deferred James Mitchell Brockie pleaded guilty to forgery, and was admitted to probation for twelve months, conditional on the payment of the costs of the prosecution. James Cameron, aged 21, for theft, got probation for twelve months. Thomas Day, for stealing a horse, got eighteen months hard labor.