LAW AND POLIOK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7220, 8 January 1885, Page 3

LAW AND POLIOK.

SUPREME Wednesday. y -/ Cbimisal Sittings, ■i ; [Before His Honor Mr. Justice Gillies. 1

The quarterly sitting of the Supreme Court for Gaol delivery commenced to-day at eleven o'clock. The following were empanneUed as the Grand Jury —Neil Ryrie Alexander, William Thomas Ball, John Batger, William Thomas James Bell, Joseph BenDetvJqfuar-Battle, Henry Byron,-Robert Charles Carr, Thomas Ching. Matthew,Anderson Cliirk, DonaldAHush McKenzie, Lawrence DaVfd * iWfthan, SJattfei Braidqa Parsons, John Fitzroy Beresford Peacock, John Reid, Samuel Frederick Sewell, Matthew 81attery, Robert Adam Mozley Stark, Andrew Steward* Richard IJdy, William Vaile, and Chatles Williamson. Mr. John Batger was ohosen foreman.

Chabqb to thb Grand Jury.—His Honor, in delivering his charge tq , the. Grand Jury, said the calendar with which they had to deal was an unusually large one, • an unusually large- number of offences against an unusually large number of persons, there being no less than 36 offences charged against 26 persons. Mich a large number had%ever been seen at any sitting of that Court Fortunately, however, the offence* were not of a very serious nature—with one, or two exceptions they were by no means serious. At the same time there were a number of cases which wo ald 'occupy: their* attention closely, and to which he- desired to direct their attention. There Wert; nine offences'against the person, viz., wounding and similar acts against an individual. One was assault, with intent to, murder ; but he thought the indictment to be laid before them would not go to the extent of -intent to murder, but it would be a charge of the minor offence of unlawfully wounding. # In that case they would have no difficulty in dealing with it, as the facts were clear. There were six charges -' against three peiaona of a nature that they must be very sorry to see brought forward, viz., charges of indecent assault, .His v Honor then stated the law on charges of : this nature. There were foup . cases of what might be called offences against public policy, one of these be ng a charge of perjury. There were two cases of making false declarations under the Corrupt Practices Act. A young man was charged with forgiqg the signature of a ! clergyman to a consent to get marriedthe ■ young . man being about to marry a young girl under age. There were no fewer than twenty-two charges of stealing in various,forms. There were 1 two casts of horse-stealing against Maoris, tnree cases of forgery, one of burglary; one case of obtaining money by false pretences, three cases of embezzlement, and one of maliciously shooting a horse. His Honor briefly staled the< law as. it affected the various offences.The Grand Jury then retired to consider the charges.

Tbde Bills.—Joseph Simpson, larceny in a dwelling; Arthur Collings, larceny in a dwelling (two charges); tidward Dumont, unlawfully wounding ; James Keen ah, larceny; Paul Louis, larceny as a bailee ;■ Harry Moody, larceny as a servant (three charges); Haiatahi, horse stealing; Robert tleid, unlawfully wounding; John Dignan, burglary; Michael Kelly, stealing in a dwelling ; Jacob Hanson, assault, occasioning actual bodily harm; John Driscol), breaking and entering. ,

No Bill.—John Elgin, "alias Smith, false pretences.Prisoner was brought up and discharged.

Lakceny. — Joseph Simpson (IS), was charged with larceny from the dwellinghouse of Patrick Sheehy, at Paeroa.— soner pleaded not guilty. — Mr. . Hudson Williamson (Crown Prosecutor) qpnducted the prosecution, and Mr. Lusk defended the prisoner.—Patrick Sheehy, Gerald Henry Jackson, Constable Law, and Deteotive Uoolan, were examined.The jury, after an hoar's deliberation, returned a verdict of guilty, with a strong recommendation to mercy. —His Honor reserved judgment for several hours, and then, as it was a first offence, sentenced the prisoner to six months' imprisonment with hard labour., Larceny.—Arthur Collings (28) was charged with stealing wearing apparel, &c., the property of John S. Milieu ; also with stealing a portmanteau, containing wearing ippare , the property of Arthur Pierce. Prisoner pleaded guilty, to .both, charges.Mr. Napier, for the prisoner, 'stated that the prisoner was suffering fiom excessive drinking at the time. As it was a first offence, Mr. .Napier asked that a nominal sentence only be inflicted. —His Honor sentenced prisoner to one year's imprisonment, with lard labour, in each case ; the , sentences to un concurrently. -

Larokny. — Harry Moody (19) . pleaded „uilty to three charges, . viz, larceny as a nailee of clothing, Ac./ ths property of Samuel Coombes ; larceny as .% bailee of cercain goods, the property of W. H. Dampier; i.'so, larceny as a bailee of certain drapery, Uie property of David Woodruff His Honor sentenced prisoner to two years' imprison* ment for each offence, the sentences to run concurrently. '

. Labckny.- James Keenan (42) was charged with stealing a quantity of household furniture and effects, the property of Bridget Weston. Prisoner pleaded not guilty.' Mr. H. Williamson conducted the prosecution. Bridget Weston, Frederick Koselin, David McKerras, William Clark, and Sergeant liejly, were examined.—Prisoner . addressed she jury.—The jury, without retiring, found orisoner guilty.—His Honor said prisoner had been found guilty on the clearest possible evidence. It was, however, a first offence :'or larceny. Sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment, with hard labour. .Assault — Jacob Hansen (47) was charged with assaulting John Constantino on the Bth October, 1884. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. —Mr. Williamson appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Cotter for the defence.—The hour being late, the case was adjourned till next day. Larceny.John Driscotl (17) was charged with breaking into the warehouse and Healing goods, &c., the property of Wil--lam Binney, at Auckland, on . the 17th November, 1884. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Chas. Wm, James, Ww. Binney, Thos. Murray, and Detective Hughes were examined. Prisoner, in defence, said some persons who stated they were from the Bay of Islands, gave him the skins to sell, and gate him quarter of the money for doing so,—His Honor, in summing up, said the Crown should have brought forward the person from whom prisoner said he received the goods, in order to disprove prisoner's statement.-The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.—His Houot hoped the case would be a warning to '.he prisoner in future not to have anything to do with stolen goods. The Court adjourned till ten o'clock next day (to-day). « ,

BANKRUPTCY.—Debtor's Examination. Alexander A. Reynell, builder, who had been adjudicated a bankrupt on his own petition, was examined on oath yesterday by the Official Assignee. He had been in trade two and a-half years, and had 'several con-; tracts ranging from £300 to £1000, aiid had fair result# fj-om all except a dwelling at Waiheke, which, in conjunction With a man! named Halliday (since bankrupt), was undertaken for £999 10s, and they lost actually £345 13s, as it coat £1345 3s. When the job was started he bad £200, but his partner had no capital and was in debt, fact, of which he (the debtor) was then ignorant The £200 went in wages and general expenses. He was now engaged on a contract on St. Paul's temporary Church, Halliday's failare drew his creditors on him, and forced him to file. He was prepared to complete St. Paul's Church, and was satisfied there wovlld be a surplus of £25, which was all the creditors had to look forward to, as he had nothing else but tools, value about £16. '

POLICE COURT.—Wednesday. . [Before H. O. S#th Smith, Esq., R.M.J ; iqwciu in; the usua^^ual ty. for this offence. V Maintenance op Wife and Family.— John Hafkm* again came up for failing to provide maintenance for his wife and family. Mr. ft. Cooper appeared for the plaintiff. The defendant said he was quite willing to' provide means if hi* wife and family would return te their home. Mr. Cooper reminded His Worship that a protection order had been issued against the defendant, As the' plaintiff would not consent to return to her home His Worship declined to make an order for her maintenance. ' • - > Assault.—W. L. Jttoth, adjourned from December 24, was charged with assaulting John Stewart, Avondale, by striking,him repeatedly with his blenched fist on December 20. Mr. Thome appeared for the prosecutor and Mr. Theo. Cooper for the defendant, who pleaded not guilty, On; the application of Mr. Thome the information*was amended by altering the place where the alleged assault took place, from Victoria-

street to * Queen-street. -He explained that his client and a• friend had gone to. the British Hotel, Qaeen - street,. for drink*. Upon leaving the house they met the defendant. and his brother,' J. Roth, to whom he spoke. „. The .. defendant. then committed, the. assault. John Stewart, carpenter, Avondale, deposed 5 that on 8*« turday evening, the 20th: December, %ha had had drinks along with a J. McCaghey, and upon leaving, the defendant - and -Us. brother entered, and he addressed the latter, upon 'which the defendant seized him by the "arm and struck him violently,,and knocked him against a glass door. In cross-examina-tion by Mr. Cooper, the witness admitted having said to. John Roth that' "he was a much better man. than his big brother." .He had been frequently in hotels. J. McCaghey (clerk) 'corroborated the evidence of the last witness,. and was cross-examined at. length by Mr. Cooper as to his character. . Mr. Cooper addressed the ' Court, and called the defendant, who deposed that he placed his band on plaintiffs in consequence of a remark he had made concerning him to his brother. The plaintiff then struck him, and he, of .course, defended himself, bat he did not strike his assailant on the head. 'John Both gave evidence, and the case w%B dismissed without any. order as to costs. Support op Wifb and Children.—A charge against Lawrence Tierney of failing to provide adequate means of support for his wife and six children, was adjourned' tor Taesday, the 14th inst., as the summons had