SUPREME COURT SITTINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2921, 9 March 1910, Page 33

SUPREME COURT SITTINGS.

HAMILTON, March 1

At the Supreme Court to-day Harry Sin--clair pleaded " Guilty" to a charge of theft .and breaking and entering, and was senteeed to six months' hard labour on each charge, cumulative on a sentence of 18 months which he is now serving. Rudolph Ernest Koberstein, for the theft of cattle, was sentenced to two years' hard iabour, and Kenred Ernest Davey, for theft, to 12 months' hard labour. Ina Margaret Renneiman, a girl of 17 years, was acquitted on a charge of concealment of birth. John Mintern Paull, charged with attempted murder at Mystery Creek, pleaded " Guilty," and was sentenced to seven years' hard labour. NAPIER, March 1.

Louis Morgan, found guilty of indecent assault, was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment.

Ronald Owen obtained judgment against the Herbertville School Committee for £2O for libel and slander. The' committee, in a letter to the Education Board, stated that Owen, with whom the local teacher associated, was of bad character and had been in gaol. The amount sued for was £5Ol. but the jury found that the committee had acted in good faith, a'lthough it had not made proper ininto one of the allegations against Owen. Mr Jusrice Cooper said it was not necessary to discuss the interesting legal point as to the committee's privilege as the defendant had agreed to judgment for the amount awarded by the jury. ,

MASTERTON, March 2

At the Supreme Court sittings to-day, before his Honor Mr Justice Chapman, two lads named .Albert and William Stockbridge were convicted of breaking and entering the- Carterton Railway station, and were sentenced to 18 months, with hard labour. There were previous convictions against each of them at Wellington. In the Bankruptcy Court discharges were granted to Bernard and Susie Douglas, Frank M'Coy, and Sar?h Tocker.

In the civil c\se Daniel Geary aid Mary Agnes Geary v Arthur Haughey, a claim for £650 under the Compensation for Workers Act, an arrangement between the parties was agreed to, defendant to pay plaintiff £125, and each side to pay its own costs. In the divorce case Mary Ann Harvey v. Robert William Harvey, an apolication for divorce on the ground of misconduct, was granted.

WELLINGTON, March 3

At the Supreme Court to-day George Mullensen, convicted of arson and theft at Waihi, received a sentence of three years' hard labour. iVlaomi Adele Dey Peacock, a married vvoman. also residing; at Waihi. was charged with arson. She was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon.

March 5.

In the Supreme Court to-day, before the Chief Justice. William Williams, a young man. for the theft of £72. the funds of the Iron and Brass-moulders* Union, was sentenced to four months* imprisonment. Charles Brooks, aged 19, for breaking and entering a house at the Hutt and stealing £2 15s, being his first offence, was 4 admitted to probation. Robert Yauston, aged 18, for stealing two cows at Makuri. being also a first offence, was ordered to come up for sentence when called on. l