SUPREME COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4291, 26 February 1901, Page 6

SUPREME COURT.

PRESS ASSOCIATION. WANGANUI, February 25. The Supreme Court was opened tins morning by Mr Justice Edwards, who referred to the .seriousness of the charges in the calendar. Referring to the charges of indecent assaults, he said there seemed to be a craze for this abominable species of crime throughout the colony. Herbert Hodgson, for breaking and entering, was convicted and admitted to probation. John Newbury was found guilty of forgery, and sentenced to two years* imprisonment, and a similar sentence was passed on George McDonald for breaking and entering. ' In the afternoon tho Court was occupied in hearing a charge of indecent assault .-.gainst Patrick Leahy. The evidence showed that the man, being aware that the woman’s husband was away from home, obtained admission to the heuso and made improper overtures The jury found the prisoner guilty, and he was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. Mr Justice Edwards, in senterming the prisoner, said it was his (the Judge’s) duty, to protect decent women in their houses from wild beasts, whether two-footed or otherwise, and stated his intension of orderin gthe lash in future.' CHRISTCHURCH, February 25. At the Supreme Court to-day, before Mr Justice ->euniston, the case of the Canterbury Jockey Club v. Patters jn, a claim for £IOO damages for alleged trespass on the Riccarton racecourse last November, was commenced. Defendant, a bookmaker, was warned rot. to go on to the course, hut persistel, and after a scuffle got on, and expressed his determination to vindicate Ids right as one of the public to be present on the racecourse.

- . DUNEDIN, February 25 The criminal sittings of the Supremo Court began to-day. The Grand Jury, through the Foreman, announced tl.rt by a majority it had decided to ignore a bill in the case of Alexander Thomson, seaman, cnarged with murdering Jam-•> Gibbs, a fireman on the steamer Otarama. The following sentences were passed: —Daniel Hurley, nine months’ imprisonment for theft; Henrv Williams, three years’ imprisonment for a series of thefts. The Grand Jury also found no bill in the case of James Ledingham, who had bean committed for trial on a charge of manslaughter Jn connection with ibe drowning of a dredge hand. Alfred Smith, alias Morton, charged with housebreaking, was found not gudty. "A wise son niaketb a glad father, for be gives him A. and B. Mackay’s Liqueur Whisky.