CRIMINAL SITTINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2051, 15 June 1893, Page 16

CRIMINAL SITTINGS.

Napjeb, June 13.

The criminal sittings of the Supreme Court were commenced to-day. In his charge to the grand jury the Chief Justice dwelt mainly on the charge of rape against James Iteedy, a Woodville maD, on his two grandchildren, aged six and seven anda-half. He said the children were too young to give evidence. The chief remaining evidence was that of the mother of the children, and of the doctor, who would depose that the children were suffericg from an abominable complaint, from which Reedy also suffered. Under the circumstances the jury might consider it their duty to return no bill. The jury, however, returned a true bill in that and all other cases. Crawford, on two charges of larceny, was sentenced to 18 months' hard labour. William Rex Rose, alias Charles William Dawson, a medical man, pleaded guilty to forging the tame of the Hon. J. D. Ormond to two cheques. Numerous previous convictions were proved, and he was sentenced to five years' penal servitude. Thomas C. Johnston, who pleaded guilty to the forgery of a cheque, was released on probation on payment of the expenses of the prosecution and finding surety for LSO for good behaviour. John Crossland, a first offender, who forged a cheque for Ll4, was sentenced to six months' bard labour. Harold Maitland, who was released on probation at the last sitting of the court, pleaded guiliy to stealing money from tho till of the Empire Hotel and was sent to hard labour for two years. Charles Broadbent, a youth, for horse-stealing, got 18 months, to commence at the expiry of the sentence now being served for another similar offence. George Roberts, who though only 18 had a very bad reoord in the South Island, where he was known as " Olimo," got two years for entering the railway station at Woodville and stealing money and a watch therefrom. Timaru, Juno 13. At the Supreme Court in tbe four criminal cases true bills were returned. Inferring to the case of "rough on rat?," Judge Dsnniston suggested tbat the grand jury should make a presentment against the dacgerous freedom of arsenic in that form bought and sold. The jury thought it useless, as arsenic can be bought at the wholesale stores by th.6 hundredweight, and no ques' ions asked. W. Williams, an old offender, pleaded guilty to killiDg a sheep with intent to steal the skin, and was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment. E. Cook pleaded guilty to housebreaking and larceny, and recuired nke months.