THE SUPREME COURT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4182, 6 January 1885, Page 3

THE SUPREME COURT.

RAPE— MURDER— WARING TAYLOR.

Dunedin, this day. The Supreme Court criminal sittings opened yesterday, Judge Williams's charge was short and merely referred to the cases on the calendar. Charles Fowler, who had been previously convicted, and whose conviction has been sustained by the Appeal Court, was sentenced to five years' penal servitude. The following prisoners, who pleaded guilty, were also sentenced : — Charles Patterson, for robbery on board the steamer Tongariro, 6 months ; John Williams, for robbery from a dwelling 3 years ; Thomas Jerome, for forgery, 12 months ; Daniel Mann, forgery, 4 years ; Ellen Barry, robbery from the person, 3 years. William Carter for forgery and John Jenkins for larceny as a bailee were found not guilty. Christchurch, this day. • The criminal session of the Supreme Court opened yesterday morning. Mr Justice Johnston, in hfs charge to the Grand Jury, made reference to the death of Mr S. Duncan, late Crown Prosecutor, to whom he paid a high compliment for his services to the Crown. His Honor then commented on the calendar, remarking that there were twenty cases, eleven of which were of a serious character ; but in looking through the depositions he saw there was nothing to show that the criminal classes were making serious progress here. He then alluded to the cases in detail. In the rape case against three young men, medical evidence was given to show that the woman is in such a state of health that she will be unable to appear for some time to give evidence. During the preliminary argument in the private prosecution against Alf. Buckley, His Honor said his present strong impression was that resisting a Sheriffs officer was no offence at statute or common law. John Hampton, for forgery, got two years, and Frank Spriggs, for stealing a watch, 12 months. John Gwatkin, 64 years of age, pleaded guilty to forging a promissory note for £24. He had previously borne a high character, but recently got into debt. His Honor treated the case as exceptional and sentenced him to six months. J. W. Crabtree, on two indictments for horse stealing and four for larceny, was sentenced to thirteen years penal servitude in all. J. A. Ladbrook, for bigamy, got nine months hard labor, and Henry Dudley, for breaking into and stealing and having housebreaking implements in his possession, three years penal servitude. In the cases of Kagelmacher for horse stealing and G. Toll for larceny, no bills were returned. Wellington, this day. At the Supreme Court yesterday the Grand Jury found true bills in all cases, including four against Waring Taylor, and in the charge of manslaughter against W. Walter, mate of the Hawea, in connection with the recent accident on board that vessel. The Crown Prosecutor, however, entered a nolle prosequi, and the accused was discharged. A native named Pakanui Apainui, for house-breaking, was convicted and sentence deferred. Edward Perry and Leslie McKenron were charged with obtaining moneys by false pretencep In connection with an alleged discovery of a goldfield in North Wairarapa. Perry failed to appear, and his recognisances were ordered to be estreated. The case had not concluded when the Court adjourned. Later. At the Supreme Court to-day the Maori, for burglary at the Brunner Coal Company's office, was sentenced to five years ; McKenna, for false pretences at Master-, ton, was acquitted.