SUPREME COURT.

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 496, 23 September 1905, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

Palmerston Sitting

Tho" Snprerno Court sat at PalmerBton yesterday, his Honor Judge Edwards presiding.

GRAND JURY,

The following grand jury was empanelled :—George Wright Eavenhiii, Win. Collingwoo-3, Henry Thos. Fl.yger, Jas. Allan Strung, Guy Palmer Skerman, Harry James Wyldo, Win. Lyall Scot, Joßeph' Webb Johnston, John G-ernmeU, Wm. John O'Donnell, John Bogere, A. K. Waldegrave, Thomas Mafason, A. 3. Graham, 11. S. dirty, W. Beck, Allan Skerman, L. H. Collinson, R Edwards, A. H. Wyldes, Claudo Haynes, Wm. Samuel Gawifch,

His Honour, addressing* the Grand Jury, said that he bad to congratulate thejn on the lij>htnet<s of tho calendar. There were onl v t'n c emirges in al , dodo of which invo'.vpiJ riiv heavy points of law. , Hia Hoiiou? ill n traversed the points of the various ch'vr^os, and instructed tho jury as to their duty. There were two clni|;ri> of theft ngain.-t t-irtxnuol WftWiiin-vv, vu»e charts of theft s-j*kis*?. Kobert llA.uni.-on. There was » ch.jr^e of a very shacking nature

«^.,;i!\s' John Gla.iT Jamaou for an attest<-'l indecent asaauls on his step{i:.ii^i:?.r, Three urcn, Jotin Cornelius Bobinwn, hi. Lpugblin, und William .}ps?{'h Lnve wore charged with assault

-Xiue bins were returned against Janason, .Robinson, Jas. Loughlin, William Lowe. S. Mawhinay (two charges), and Kobert Hamilton, theft. ALLEGED ASSAULT. Olaff Jansson was indicted that he did on ihe 10th August attempt to unlawfully carnaliy know his stepdaughter, Alice Maud Collins, a girl of under 16 years of age, to wit 14 years, further that ho did attempt to indecently assault the girl, she being under the age of consent, and further that he did indecently assau't her.

The following jury was empanelled :— G. Allman (torenian), A. Giorgi, W. Mouldey, J. Rickard, J. Goodwi-, R. E. . Hopkirk, H. E. Holland, Boon, J. H. R. Allen, W. iieiinner, J. Collis and Geo. Davenport. Mr Fitzhsrbcrt prosecuted and Mr . Moore appeared on behalf of the accused. Evidence was taken with cloßrd doors. The whole of tho morning was taken up With the case, and after the luncheon ' ftijourament Mr Moore, drciiningto oil ■■■ evidence, addressed the Court on behalf of the accused. Hit Honor summed up briefly; his remarks being slightly in favour of the accused. After retiring the jury returned a verdict of " Not Guilty," and the prisoner; was discharged. ALLEGED ASSAULT AND j ROBBERY. John Cornelius Robinson was charged j with assaulting and robbing Charles ! Nelson of a suit of clothes and other articles; and W. J. Lowe and James Loughlin with assaulting Nelson. Tho accused were also charged with intending to rob Noison of .£2O. ; and L iughlin with receiving the clothes. The' jury empanelled comprised — ' Charles Brown (foreman), J. F. Hoadley, J. H. Hocking, J. Allen, W. Bower, G. Dredge, H. Hillraer, J. Riokard,,T. Morecomb, J, MoffaU, H. M. Situtnonds, J. Sheppard. Mr Fitzherbert prosecuted; and Mr Trewin defended two of the accused. After the charge had been read, Mr Trewin protested that his clients wero •censed of attempting to rob Nelson of JE2O, whereas they had already boon Acquitted of the charge of the theft in the lower Court. In opening the case for the Crown Mr Fiizherbert said the three accused and another man were, en tho night in Suestion in Feilding. The mid Charles felaon, a flaxmiller, also arrived there w!Sh two cheques of the total value of •boat J623. These cheques he had cashed. Fart of the money, eouo £2 7s, he spent in a suit of clothes, and other, sums on various purchases, having in hie possession in cish that night about £20. He picked up with Loughlin, and the two of them went about together. / In the evening Nelson .went to a fiah chop and spent his money freely, shou - ing for the three accused. In going from the shop to the Denbigh Hotel, at about 10 o'clock (according to Nelson's ■\account) the men had set oh to him, and had tried to : t»ko his money. When he -managed te get up ho found bi3 parcel of '.'. olothps gone, but he 'still had his money, • though bis pocket had been torn in the - endeavour to pull hia hand out ,of it and take the contents. Nelson had . then gone into the hotel but could not get drink, and on going . out again, found two of the accused still there waiting for him. They jostled him till he beßan to call out. Loughlin, conJinued couneel, was afterwards seen with jjportions of the suit accounting variously joe Jheir possession^ and. finally the

v.; police found the clothes 00 Dr Johnson's ,£: property. The fourth man mentioned: - Jiad escaped the vigilance of the police. dj/ Cbitiles Nelson was under croßs- - examination when the Court rose. '-.■