CRIMINAL SITTINGS. INVERCARGILL, August 29.

Otago Witness, Issue 2686, 6 September 1905, Page 18

CRIMINAL SITTINGS. INVERCARGILL, August 29.

The Supreme Court criminal sittings opened here to-day before Mr Justice Cooper. The calendar comprises seven charges against eight persons. With the exception of a charge of wife murder againet Daniel Swan, the cases are of an ordinary nature. True bills were found in all the cases. Harry Hart, aged 31. pleaded " Guilty" to forgery, and was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment. William Hicks, aged 24. pleaded " Guilty" to forgery. His Honor said the offence was a serious one, but there wore cases in which probation was justified, and thk was one. His Honor. thought accused gave way under great stress >f circumstances, his wife being ill and he being in financial difficulties. He was admitted to probation for 12 months. Frank Curtain, aged 39, for robbery from the person, pleaded " Guilty," and was sentenced to two years. Accused took £28 from the pocket of a man asleep in a. hotel bedroom. Previous convictions were recorded. John Tonkins, for theft from the person, was sentenoed +o two years' hard labour. John Hayes, oharged in conjunction with Tonkins, pleaded "Not guilty," but was convicted of receiving, and got 18' months. Joseph Griffith^ pleaded " Guilty" to the tneft of a watch and jewellery of the- value of £40 from a sawmill hut in 1903, and'-* was sentenced to six months, his Honor stating that "the pentence was, made light becasutso of the youth' of the prisoner and there being no previous conviction for dishonesty.