SOUTHERN GRIMINAL SESSIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13029, 21 November 1905, Page 6

SOUTHERN GRIMINAL SESSIONS.

[Br TELEGRAPH. — ASSOCIATION.]

CimisrcHUKCH, Monday. The Supreme Court criminal sessions were opened this morning. There were twentytwo indictments, eight of which were concerned with offences against women and girls. His Honor, in commenting on the calendar, said that it was numerically heavy, but that there were no very serious offences. Willi regard to the exceptional number of cases of indecency he said that none were very serious in character, but it was regrettable that there should be such a long listof offences of the nature, of indecent exposure and indecent assault. G. S. Be/.zart, for forgery and uttering, was sentenced to three months' imprisonment. Win. Knox, for breaking and entering, received three years' imprisonment, lie being an old Offender.

Alfred James Warren was sentenced to six months, and Thomas Bus'st to two years, for breaking into a bootmaker's shop and stealing goods to the valuo of £7 9s.

Patrick Shea was acquitted on a charge of passing a gilded shilling for a sovereign. Eric Peterson appeared on a charge of having attempted to cast away the Canopus by cutting her mooring line at Lyttelton on Friday night, and with having committed the crime of mischief by cutting the mooring lino of tire vessel. No evidence was given showing intention to east, away, and the damage done- to the line was estimated by the master of the Canopus at £1. The Crown then abandoned the case, for, according to the Criminal Code, mischief involves damage to the extent of at least £5, and accused was acquitted. Duxedix, Monday. The criminal sittings began this morning. Mr. Justice Williams said though the calendar was not heavy it. contained one. serious charge, viz., that of murder of a Chinaman at Tapanui. William Herbert, who pleaded guilty in the court below to theft from a dwelling, was sentenced to eighteen mouths' imprisonment. ■ WeLMNGTOX, Monday. The .Supreme Court criminal sessions opened here to-day. the Chief Justice presiding. His Honor, addressing the grand jury, said the list; of crimes was not large, but it included a case of alleged murder of a China"ihmi by Lionel Terry. The jury would be assisted by the fact that Terry had admitted the crime. Tho question of his mental attitude would have to be considered by the. common jury. True bills were found in all cases except, •in the charge of shooting with intent, brought against Edward Gibson, late chief mat© of the ship Loch Carve, and a charge of theft, against William Hartly. John Hamilton pleaded guilty to theft from a dwelling, and was remanded in order that the probation officer might report on him. , '.• Edward Williamson, abas Brown, admitted being guilty of assault and robbery, and was also remanded for inquiries.

William Barrett was acquitted of the charge of arson near Manga woka. Tift- hearing of a charge of forgery against James Cody stands adjourned in order that witnesses might attend. One, Mrs. Kennedy, who failed to answer to her subpoena, was fined £50. • Robert Mewhinney, • charged with indecency, did not surrender to his bail, and the sureties were estreated.