AUCKLAND SUPREME COURT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12266, 9 May 1903, Page 3

AUCKLAND SUPREME COURT.

The criminal sessions of the Supremo Oo«i# were continued yesterday before Mi. Justkfl Conolly. The Hon. J. A. Tele, Crown P«m sccutor, conducted the prosecutions. THEFT FROM THE WHARF. Andrew Joan, a wharf labourer, w«a charged with the theft, on April 21. of five tins of salmon from the steamer Ventura. On a second count ho was charged with th« theft of five tins of salmon, and on a third count, with rece-ivint; five tins off i-almon, the property of the Oceanic Steamship Compuny, well knowing them to hare b;-en dishonest];.- obtained. Mr. T. Cotter appeared on behalf of the Oceanic Steamship Company, and Mr. .T. It. Reed appeared for the nccusou, who pleaded not guilty to the first aid third counts, and guiltv to the second count, viz., that of simple theft. Mr. Tole accepted tho plea. Mr. ISeed said that the accused, on seeing the tins of salmon undo.- some pieces of timber, was seized with a sudden temptation and too* them. The accused had lwou 27 years in Auckland, and had worked On the wharf for 23 v-car-. Ho l>oro the Iwssfc of characters, and lie (Mr, Reed) asked that probation bo allowed. Captain Parker and Captain Nearing gave evidence as to the good character of accused. In answer to Mr. Tola they stated that a great deal of pilfering went on on the wharf. Mr. Tole said ho had been informed that some £509 worth of goods had been missed from the wharf during the past six months. His Honor said that in view of the Rood character hitherto borne, by accused and the small value of the goods the case would bo met by probation. Accused j was admitted tc probation for 12 months. i AN ACQUITTAL.

The second trial of Harry Williams, ott the charges of forging a false document, uttering it, and obtaining a suit of clothes* and credit by false pretences, took place. The accused, who was defended by Mr. John Alexander, pleaded not guilty. The -evidence given at the first trial on Thursday was repeated. The jury, after retiring for threequarters of an hour, returned a verdict of mot! guilty, and the accused was discharged. At twenty minutes to fiv ( > p.m. tie Court adjourned till ten o'clock to-day.