SOUTHLAND

Otago Witness, Issue 2660, 8 March 1905, Page 67

SOUTHLAND

Tho Supreme Court sir tings opened on the 28th ult. Mr Ju-tion William* congratulateel the jury on the lightness of the calendar, there bcino- only three criminal charges — two of °old robbery and one of criminal assault. Alexander Bellamy pleaded " Guilty" to robbery of gold from a diedgo, and was remanded ior sentence. F. H. Farr, aged 23 vcars, was sentenced to 18 mouths' Laid labour for indecent assault on a girl 15 years of ago. There were previous conviction^ — one for highway robbery,— but Mr JusHce Williams said he would not allow the-e to weigh in the present case, having occurred years ago. At Ashburton on the 28th the police raided Mrs Hyland's premises, known as the Bridoe Hotel, securing an 18eal keg of be or and a dozen bottles of ivhisky.

At In*, eroar^ill on Thursday John Cheyne uas acquitted on a charge of gold-stealing ati Waikaia Alexander Bellamy, who was the) principal witnfss against Cheyne, was ronvictod of the theft of gold, and sentenced ia six months' hard labour. The divorce casa William J. Kidd v. Ann Kidd and E. E. Wallis, in which £500 damages are claimed; was proceeded with in the afternoon.

Mi- Justice Williams and a jury have been engaged for four days hearing- the divorce ca<-e William Jamc> Kidd v. Amr Kidd and E. E. Wallis (all of Gore). £ husband's petition for -divorce, on tha ground of adult e«ry, and for £500 damages. A counter-petition was filed by respondent applying for divorce, on the grounds oV adultery (admitted) and cruelty. To-nigK the jury, after two hours' re tir emeriti found for the petitioner, and assessed th^ damages at £100.