SUPREME COURT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12426, 15 February 1901, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

CRIMINAL SESSIONS. Thursday, Feii. : 14. - ~(B*fore hifl Honor Mr Justice Edwards.) ' ALLEGED UNNATURAL OFFENCE. When the Court sat at 10.30 a.m., tire cose in which James James was charged with having committed an, unnatural offence wa.s resumed. Further evidence was given, and Mr Rusgell, for the defence, addressed'the jury. After his Honor had summed up'the jury retired, and, after a deliberation of about three-quarters of art hour, returned with a verdict of “Guilty.” It added a rider to the effect that the"’ future actions of the boy ' ‘ who is implicated should be watched by a proper authority.: . .. His Honor said that that would be done. It’ was not necessary for him to add any-, thing to what had’ been said with regard to the nature,of the offence. The sentence would be five year’s’ ; imprisonment, with hard labour. Mr Stringer said that there were two other indictments. against the accused, and he intended to ask the Solicitor-General to • enter a. stay of proceedings. FORGERY AND UTTERING. Tame Horomona, alias Thomas Solomon, a Maori,’ about eighteen years of age, was brought up for sentence on a charge of forgery and uttering at the-;Chatham Islands. Mr Neave appeared for the prisoner, and asked that accused should be admitted to probation; . Mr Stringer said that the offence had been committed in a siEy manner. The prisoner had, apparently, taken an order from his fathers cheque-book, ’filled it in, and purchased some goods from an itinerant trader. Perhaps an admonition from his Honor would do him good. ■ His Honor said that he doubted that. Could the prisoner understand English? Mr Stringer said that he had bden to an English school, and had been taught to rend and write. He had filled up t-he cheque fairly well. His Honor asked-if the prisoner “was in. a position to pay the expenses of: the case. He had been out on bail, bad seen the Im- • perialtroops, and had had a pleasant time in Christchurch., It, was hardly right that the Government should have to pay for his holiday. • Mr Stringsr,'in reply to a question, said that the prisoner was in a position to pay the expenses, which amounted to £5, ‘ The prisoner, when, asked if he had anything to'say why the sentence of the Court should not bo passed on him, shook ' his head, intimating that he did not underBrand. His father interpreted the question, and he then replied in the negative. His Honor said : "Prisoner at the baa, you have been a very bad boy, and have .■ rendered yourself liable to a long terra of imprisonment. You will not be sent to pri- • eon on this occasion, but if the offence is repeated that is what will be done with you, and you will not like it. You will have to work very hard, and perhaps ybu will not like what you get to, eat. You must remember that any. other Judge before whom you are brought will not be able to deal with you in the manner that I am dealing with you now. You will be admitted to probation for twelve months, and will be ' ordered to pay the costs of the case within eix months.” ■ The Court then adjourned till 11 a.m. on. Monday.

CIVIL SITTINGS.

’ The following'is the list'of cases set down for the civil sittings of the Supreme Court, (Which will commence- on. Monday, before Mr Justice Denniston. Coates' v. Vincent, claims £663 12s, for use of land. Mr Findlay for plaintiff and Mr Stringer for defendant. Copland v. Elmslie, claim £554 13s 6d, and interest, breach of agreement. Mr ’.Maude for plaintiff and Mr Harper for defendant. - . ■ . Kelly v. Joyce, claim! £3lO 6s, claim on ‘money advanced. Mr Bruges for plaintiff and Mr Johnston for defendant. Canterbury Jockey Club v. Patterson, ’claim £IOO, damages for 'trespass. . Mr Cowlishaw for plaintiff and Mr Saiper for defendant. Carroll v. Whittle, claim for specific performances, inquiries, etc., or £SOO damages. Stringer for plaintiff and! Mr Kippen- >' #rgef for defendant.

performances, or £IOO ‘damages, .and return of deposit. Mr Izard, for plaintiff and Mr Hobart for defendant. - . Brown ,v.. Brown, divorce. . Mr Stringer for petitioner.