CRIMINAL SITTINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2647, 7 December 1904, Page 11

CRIMINAL SITTINGS.

INVERCARGILL, November 29. The criminal sittings opened to-day before Mr Justice Dennietcn, who congratulated the district on the lightness of the calendar, there being no serious cases. The court was occupied all day with the hearing of a charge of perjury against Farquhar M'Kenzie in connection with the purchase of the Morning Star mine, Preservation Inlet. In Dunedin early this year two men — M'Creath and Berndston — bought the mine at auction for £85, accused being present. The latter suggested standing in with them on a third share, offering to finance the "epeo." by a draft on an Invercargill man. This was agreed to, but the draft, being immediately dishonoured, it is alleged that M'Creath and Berndston financed the affair without the assistance of M'Kenzie. Some months later accused applied to the District Court to get a status as partner in the mine. Although M'Creath and Berndston did not appear, and accused having sworn that he had paid a third of the purchase money to Berndston in Dxin. fidget a dsdgign was ffiwii m fea

favour. It is this statement that is the foundation of the charge. The hearing is i not finished.

The licensee of an hotel will be. charged with permitting pool to be played on the billiard table, this, it is alleged, being an illegal game under the new Licensing Act. November 30.

Afc the Supreme Court, Rees Williams pleaded ' Guilty to making a false declaration under the Marriage Act by swearing that there was no impediment to his marriage, whereas he was already married. Mr Justice Denniston .said there were extenuating circumstances, and taking into consideration that the accused had already been in gaol, he sentenced him to one month's imprisonment. In the case against Farquhar M'Kenzie. for perjury the jury found the prisoner guilty, with a recommendation to mercy. Mr Justice Denniston said the prisoner had not only committed perjury in the original proceedings, but also in his evidence in that court. He would be sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment, with hard lahour. Chow Chok, convicted of stealing the moneys of a partnership as Chineie market gardeners, got nine months. He admitted that he used portion of a sum set a.part to repay a loan to pay his personal debts, seeming to think nothing felonious in that. ,

The erection of the Carnegie Free Public Library in We-stport is completed. It is a handsome- brick building.