LAW AND POLICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10155, 11 June 1896, Page 3

LAW AND POLICE.

SUPREME COURT.-Criminal Sittings. Wednesday. [Before His Honor Mr. Justice Conolly.) CHARGE OF SHEEP STEALING. John Baptiste Autheman, Lucretia Autheman, and Reginald Autheman, were charged with having stolen 20 sheep at Otonga in March last, the property of Alexander MeKenzie. This case was heard last week, when the jury disagreed. The Crown now offered no evidence, and consequently the jury returued a verdict of not guilty. Lucre, tia Authemau, found guilty on the previous day of stealing five sheep, was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment with hard labour, and ordered to pay £20, the cost of the prosecution. TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES.

Thomas Richardson James was charged with obtaining by false pretences from Thomas Bowen the Bum of £18 15s, on February 26, and the sum of SI 10s on February 27, 1896. Mr. Tole appeared for the Crowu and Mr. Theo. Cooper for the accused. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Thomas Bowen gave evidence to the effect that on February 26 witness authorised acoused to buy 250 Waihi Consols at Is 6d, and witness was subsequently informed by James that the shares had been bought for him. Witness paid £18 15s, and got a receipt for the money. On March 1 witness received the trausfer from the accused, who told him not to allow it to go out of his hands. Witness brought the transfer back, signed by C. Stewart as purchaser, for whom witness had been buying. On witness subsequently asking for the transfer the accused said he had destroyed it, and pa being afterwards pressed about the matter James admitted that he had not bought the shares. He said he had been pushed and had used the money, but promised to pay-the money back. The money had never been paid. On February 27 witness, authorised James to buy 100 more Waihi Consols, for which he (witness) paid £7 10s. Witness did not receive a transfer, and James afterwards told him he had been pushed and had used the money, but would pay witness back all the money he had invested with him. This had not been done. Edward Birchnall Gilfillau, clerk, stated in his evideuce that neither the name of Thomas Bowen, nop of Thomas Richardson James, nor C. Stewart, appeared on the books ot the Waihi Consols Company as a holder of shares. At this stage Mr. Cooper said he had advised his client to withdraw his plea of not guilty, and substitute the pica of guilty. Thomas Richardson James was then further charged with having on November 2, 1895, well-knowing a document (a share transfer) to be forged, used the same as if it were genuine. Accused pleaded not guilty. The transfer referred to purported to be signed by. R. F. Buttimore, transferring certain New Golcouda shares to J?. R. James. Robert Frenoh Buttimore, in Iris.evidence, denied that the signature was his, and stated that. he had not sold the shares to the .accused; Ellis Charles Windsor, Thomas Boweu, and Detective Chrystal also gave evidence for the prosecution. The evidence was practically the same as that placed before the lower Court. George Edward Ashton, olerk in the office of Ashton and Sons, was called for the defence. He stated that he witnessed the signature on the transfer produced. The signature of the attesting witness was certainly his. He did not recolleot the circumstances of the transfer, as he attested about a dozen every day. He would not have attested the signature had not Buttimore signed it in his presence. He would not witness a signature unless he saw it written, or unless the person whose signature it purported to be stated that it actually was his signature. Mr. Cooper, in addressing the jury, said the crux of the question was whether or not Buttimore was wrong when he denied his signature. He contended that there was not only doubt as to whether the document were a forgery, but that the evidence was all in favour of the transfer beiug a geuuine document. After the conclusion of Mr. Tole's address, His Honor summed up, and pointed out the peculiar circumstance that some of the admittedly genuine signatures placed before the Court differed more from others than some of them did from the alleged forgery. He was glad experts had not been called on this matter, as he placed very little weight upon their opinions in such matters. His Honor also commented at length upon the evidence, more especially that of Buttimore. The jury after a few minutes' retirement returned a verdict of ' Not Guilty.' With regard to the charges of obtaining money under false pretences Mr. Cooper said the accused had made some heavy losses and fell iuto temptation, but he had intended to repay the money and make restitution. Mr. Cooper asked tor an adjournment until the next morning, when lie proposed to call evidence as to character, and in the meantime the Court could obtain a report from the Probation Officer. As to the charge of using the alleged forged document, His Honor said he did not believe there was any torgery at all. He fully concurred with the verdict of the jury. He was quite satisfied that the signature was the genuine signature of Buttimore. If he did grant probation it would only be on condition of restitution being made. Mr. Cooper said that would only be rh?ht. The Court thon adjourned until next day.

POLICE COURT.-Wkpnesday. (Bofore Mr. H. W. Northcroft, S.M.] Drunkenness.-Three first offenders were cautioned; a fourth was fined ss, with the option of 48 hours; and Charles J. Curran was fined 10s, with the option of 48 hours, Au.kged Forgery.—Henry Peterken was remanded for eight days on separate charges of having forged two cheques for £10 10s 5(1 and £10 10s, purporting to be signed by Albert Crowther and J. Hawkes respectively. Infants Life Protection Act.—Elizabeth Mitchell was cautioned in respect of a charge of having boarded, at her house in Karaugahape Road, an infant under the age of two years, without such house having been registered under the provisions of the Infant Life Protection Act, 1893. Captain Sparks, ol the Salvation Army, explained the circumstances of the case to His Worship, and it appeared there had not been the slightest intention to evade the Aot. Licensing Act. — James Hurfter was charged that on May 27, at Parnell, being the holder of a publican's license for the Alexandra Hotel, he did allow certain persons to play billiards after hours. Mr. Cotter appeared for the defendant, and obtained an adjournment till the 17th inst.

At the invitation of Mr. and Mrs. John Wilson a very enjoyable evening party was given in the Hoteo North School on the sth fust., in honour of the marriage of their eldest daughter, May, to Mr. Horace MassDy, of Maungaturoto. Miss Wilson was a great favourite, and the invitations were with but few exceptions accepted. Sorao sixty couples availed themselves of the pleasant entertainment provided which consisted of music, song, aud story, interspersed with games and dancing, all of which were thoroughly appreciated. The refreshments were in great variety, and in quality excellent, and the music all that could be desired. After supper the happiness, prosperity of the newly-wedded couple, and the health of our host and hostess, wero duly honoured and suitably acknowledged. The presents were valuable, useful, and numerous. Mr. and Mrs. Massey are, I believe, for a time to take up their residence ac the Northern Wairoa, and they will carry with them the sincere good wishes of their many friends here. The ladies were exceptionally tastefully attired and attentive and considerate, which materially promoted the evening's enjoyment. I should like to hint to some of the very young ones that an obliging, courteous manner is always admired. Mr. R. Walker oommendably discharged the duties of M.C., and Mr. and Mrs. J. Wilson are to be heartily congratulated for the pleasure they afforded.— Correspondent].

I see by thia week's Auckland Weekly News a report of the Warkworth Pioneer Lodge of Oddfellows, M.U., ball. I urn glad to say our lodge is in a flourishing condition; but we thought if we gave a ball it would cause it to be more widely known that we were keeping pace with other lodges outside of the order. I find in the report thero is no notice of the handsome banner kindly lent by the Loyal Good Intent Lodge, Auokland. There are also some inaoouraoies concerning the fancy dresses, the most prominent being Miss S. Rugg, Russian Dancer; Miss Grange, Queen of Hearts; Mrs. Shoesmith, Gipsy Queen ; Miss Fuller, Schoolgirl ; Miss M. Ragg, Swiss Maid; Miss Staoy, Gipsy Maid. Amongst the other sex, Mr. H. Wood,-Alpine Miustrel; Mr. F. Woods, Oldtime Prince Mr. W. McElory, Patchwork; Mr. B. MoKinney, Pirate. The honours are in the order the names are arranged.— Correspondent.]