SUPREME COURT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 889, 15 March 1889, Page 15

SUPREME COURT.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Oamaru, March 12,

The Supreme Court sittings were opened to-day by Mr Justice Williams. There were only four charges. John Williams, a coloured man, for burglary at Waimate, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to five years’penal servitude. John Lewis and Edward Morgan were acquitted on the charge of robbery with violence. Wm. Edwards, for a similar offence was convicted and sentenced to nine months. A man named Carson, while under the influence of drink, was robbed of hiß watch, and about three weeks after Edwards sold it to a half-caste, and he could not aaoount for how it came into his possession. James Brown, for the robbery of a purse from a drunken man, was convicted and sentenced to a year’s imprisonment. Auckland, March 12. At the Supreme Court to-day, the Grand Jury found no true bill on the charge of murder against Michael McDermott, but found a true bill on a charge of manslaughter. . Christchurch, March 12. On the Supreme Court opening to-day and Mr Justice Denniston taking his seat for the first time, there was a very large gathering of the bar. Mr T. S. Weston said be had been deputed by the bar of Canterbury to welcome his Honor on first taking his seat and to congratulate him upon his eievation to the Bench. Mr Weston dilated upon the necessity which existed for a cordial feeling and reciprocal, respect between the Bench

and the bar, and assured his Honor that the bar of Canterbury would always be ready to afford its most most cordial support and assistance. His Honor, in responding, thanked Mr Weston and the bar for the kindly welcome accorded to him. He fully reciprocated the expression of Mr Weston that for the efficient carrying on of public business as well as the comfort at»d convenience of all parties concerned there should be a mutual feeling of respect and cooperation between the Bench and the Bar. He was deeply grateful to the gentlemen of the bar in Christchurch for their kindly welcome, and hoped that the feel ng3 of mutual respect and goodwill would long continue.