SUPREME COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVI, Issue 2363, 20 November 1894, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

CRIMINAL SESSIONS. Tho criminal sessions of the Supreme Court wore opened at 10 a.m. yesterday before His Honor the Chief Justice. THE GRAND JURY. The following gentlemen were sworn in as the Grand Jury:—Jas. Albert Williams, Philip Augustus Mason, Win. Oil), Edward Bolton Bristow, Chas. Austen Colbcck, Wm. Allan, Wm. Cable, John Staples, Frank Stevens, John Horrax, Joseph McGiilcrfc Cleland, Predk. Morton Shortridge, Levi Coupland, Adolphus "Wm. John Cook, Arthur Warburton, Kichard Duigan, Wm. Henry Col wall, Chas. Cathie, Thos. Carmichael, Wm. Waddell, Thos. Seabright, Will. Kay 11 and Frederick Seager. Wm. Gill was chosen foreman. -run judge's charge. His Honor’s charge was of the briefest possible character. He merely said :Mr Foreman and Gentlemen of tho Grand Jury: I have no observations to make on the eases which are to come before you. 'They seem not to require any help from me. You will therefore retire to your room and the bills will be sent to you for your determination. WIFE BEATING. George Hnme was charged with having on the Ist October last, at Wellington, assaulted his wife, Catherine Hume, inflicting upon her grievous bodily harm. The prisoner, who was defended by Mr Hindmarsh, pleaded not guilty. Mr Alfred Boardman was chosen foreman of the jury. Mrs Catherine Hume, who carried her right arm in a sling, deposed that she lived in Abel Smith street. On the day in question the prisoner, who was a fisherman, came home for his dinner in a state of intoxication and began throwing tho furniture about, and finally chased her out into tho street. She waited about until ho went away, and then re-en-tered tho house. Prisoner returned unexpectedly, and catching witness upstairs proceeded to violently assault her, striking her several blows on tho face with his fist and twisting her right arm until it broke. A young man named “ Arthur ” was present, but did not actively interfere.

Further evidence was heard, and the jury returned a verdict of guilty. Sentence was deferred until this morning (Tuesday).

Paul Gortslotfe, alias Korth, pleaded not guilty to a charge of having at Wellington on or about tho Ist July stolen a silver watch and chain, a silver teaspoon, a pair of slippers, a scaiipin, two neckties, a shirt and a number of shells belonging to Albert Peterson.

Mr Wilford appeared in defence of the prisoner. Mary Neill, proprietress of the "VVelcome Restaurant, Willis street, stated that the prisoner stayed at her restaurant about the latter end of Juno or July last, occupying a bedroom containing three beds. Albert Peterson, a seafaring man, had loft his chest behind him In tho room. Two or throe days after Korth left she noticed that the catch of tho lock on Peterson’s chest had been burst up, and she called in Detective Campbell. Albert Peterson gave evidence as to finding that his box had been broken open in his absence, and a number of articles taken out. Detective Campbell deposed that he arrested prisoner at Stratford. A verdict of guilty was returned. Sentence was deferred until this morning. STEALING A HOUSE AND SADDLE. John McEao pleaded guilty to stealing’ a horse and saddle at Braneepcth cn October 9, tlio property of Mr H. H. Boetham, and a bridle, saddle, &c., the property of Henry Broker.

Mr Beetham, in answer to His Honor, said that the prisoner was in his employment prior to, but not at the time of, the theft. He did not know anything concerning the prisoner’s character. The prisoner was remanded until this morning to come up for sentence. THEFT OF CLOTHING. B. W. H. Kimberley, who was charged with stealing an overcoat and shirt at Wellington on September 14, the property of Messrs Bush and Thorburn, pleaded guilty. Mr Gully, Crown Prosecutor, informed His Honor that there was reason to believe that tho prisoner was of weak intellect.

Inspector Ponder said tho accused was well-known in tho Wairarapa district. He was for some time in the Wellington Lunatic Asylum, and was for a short time in tho Old Men’s Homo.

His Honor said ho did not know what could be done with the accused if ho were discharged. Eventually fie was ordered to bo brought up this morning for sentence. ALLEGED BURGLARY. Robert Crocker pleaded not guilty to a charge of burglariously entering the clwellinghouse of Mr Cockburn-Hood at Opaki, in August last, and stealing a number of articles, and also with receiving tho same. Ho was also charged with breaking into tho shop of Wong You, at Mastorfcon, on September Btb, and stealing a quantity of groceries, and also with receiving the same. Accused pleaded guilty to the two charges of receiving stolen goods, Mr Gully appeared for the prosecution, and Mr Hindmarsh for tho defence. The accused was remanded until this morning. FORGERY, John Lindsay, who pleaded guilty of forging throe cheques of the value of £5 2s Od, £4 5s and £4 3s respectively at Palmerston North about the end of Septombei 1 , and also with defrauding Isaac Levy, of the same plaoe, of tho sum of JH os by means of false pretences, was remanded until this morning. BURGLARY. Frederick Dungan pleaded guilty to a charge of burglariously entering the house of Jacob Bauraber, at Masterton. Sergeant McArdlo said that tho police know of nothing aguinst the character of tho accused prior to this offence. His Honor said he would pass tho comparatively light sentence of 12 months’ imprisonment with hard labour. TRUE BILLS. The Grand Jury found true bills against James Breen, forgery; Thomas Halsall, fslso pretences ; D. Munro, alias Warren, robbery with violence; William Doyle and John P. Evans, theft; James Wright, Bertrand Mangin and Frederick Minors, rape; Edward Bennett and James Tuthill, breaking and entering; Johan Johansen, breaking and entering; Duncan Mclntosh, false pretences; George MoCombe, forgery (two charges). NO BILL. Thoro was no bill found against Richard Spry on a charge of false pretences. Tho Court then adjourned until 10 o’clock this morning.