SUPREME COURT.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIX, Issue 63, 15 March 1906, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

FOUR-MONTHLY SESSIONS

CRIMINAL BUSINESS

(Before His Honor Mr Justice Denniston.)

The four-monthly session of the Supreme Court was opened this morning. His Honor took his seat at 10.30 o'clock. . ... . ■

The following Grand Jury was empanelled:—Jas. Law, R. McArtney, G. M. McKay, Wni. Murray, Chas. O'Sullivan, Ed. Healy, R. W. Jenkins, T. A. Kirby, L. Griffiths, Geo. Patchett, W. D. Pike, J. W. Rose, P. W. Stuart, J. Greenfield, Geo. Graham, Jas. Draper, T. S. Davies, Alex. Craven, J. J. Cony, John Bary. Mr McArtney was chosen foreman. His Honor congratulated the jury, and, through them, the district, on the shortness and simplicity of the calendar. The jury would have very little trouble in carrying out their duties. There was one indictment—a case in which one seaman was accused of stabbing another seaman at Havelock. His Honor briefly described the features of the case, and remarked that it presented no difficulty. Drunkenness in such matters, unless under exceptional circumstances, could not be accepted as a defence. The fact that a man had chosen to put himself into such a condition that he could not appreciate his moral responsibilities did not affect the charge. At 11.10 o'clock the Grand Jury returned with a true bill against Carl Beaman, charged with unlawfully wounding Felix Ostman with a knife. The circumstances as related in the Lower Court are:—On December 16th three seamen—accused, Ostman, and Lundgren—left the schooner Ronga at Blackball and visited Havelock. They left for the ship again at about 10 p.m., and while they were walking along the road Beaman and Ostman commenced quarrelling. They closed with each other ; and Ostman was stabbed with a knife below the left nipple. He called out to Lundgren, who, however, thought that nothing serious was the matter, and went on to the ship.-They had been drinking, and he thought that Ostman was too drunk to get up off the side of the road. Beaman followed shortly afterwards and the stabbed man came on to the ship by himself later on, when he informed the captain what had happened. Dr. Bartletfc was sent for, and found a wound about half an inch long in a dangerous position. He considered that Ostman was not out of datiger for three or four days. The Grand Jury having been relieved from -further attendance, the indictment was read to the prisoner, who pleaded not guilty. The following jury was then empanelled:—^. W. Adams, Thos. Graham, W. N. Eyles, L. W. Gane H W. Gibson Wm. Gill, Robt. Workman! Thos. Willuns, D Wemyss junr. Francis Mullen, Ed. Mead, H. E Mears. Mr Mead was appointed foreman.

Waiting jurors were discharged till 2 o'clock.

Evidence was taken, and accused ably defended himself.

The jury retired shortly before 3 o clock, and had not returned when we went to press.

CIVIL BUSINESS

The rest of the afternoon was occupied in the hearing of the case Kirkpatnek v. A. Wiffen, claim for £210 and counter-claim of £55 12s 6d. Mr McCalliim is for plaintiff, and Mr Conolly for defendant. The jury are • A. McKenzie (foreman), C. Lane, h! Ball, and Adams.