SUPREME COURT.

Poverty Bay Independent, Volume I, Issue 16, 20 June 1885, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

(Before his Honor Chief Justice Prendergast.) The fifth sittings of the Supreme Court commenced on Monday last. The calendar contained twelve criminal and twenty civil cases. His Honor’s address to the Grand Jury was short and unimportant, and true bills were found in all cases with the exception of Hemi Tikitiki, for horse stealing, and Hiniri Kawenga, and others, for riot—the bill in the latter case not having been submitted to the jury. Breach of the Arms Act. Oscar Beyer having pleaded .guilty to the above indictment, (statihg that •he -was unable to raise the moniy for a license) and promised never /k t 6 do so again, his Honor said “Well Mr. Beyer, what am I to do with ygu. Have you any respectable will go surety for you in the sum or Z 25 ?” Mr. Joyce came forward, and having entered into the required bend, the prisoner was liberated, to come up for 1 judgement when called upon. P Unnatural Offence. William Kelly pleaded not guilty to the above offence. Mr Turton defended and Mr. Nolan prosecuted. At the conclusion of the case Mr. Turton made a mosji aide defence, but the jury after a'slJOrt deliberation brought in a verdict of guilty of the attempt. His Honor having expressed some doubts as to the justice of the verdict, sentenced the prisoner to the fullest term possible— two years hard labor. Horse Stealing.

Kereama Manimani pleaded guilty to the charge of horse stealing, and also two previous convictions. His Honor remarked that he would give him one more chance before inflicting a heavy sentence, Nine months hard labor.

Assault with Intent.

Rihara Manwhere pleaded not guilty to the above offence. Mr. Nolan prosecuted, and Mr. Kenny with Mr. Watson defended. The evidence disclosed considerable culpability on the part of the plaintiff, and the jury found the prisoner guilty of common assault. Sentenced to twelve months imprisonment. Horse Stealing. Hiniri Teke pleaded not guilty to the charge. Mr. Brassey defended. No evidence was called for the defence and the jury gave a verdict in the prisoners favor. Indecent Assault. Rinai Tamararnhe pleaded not guilty to the charge. Mr. Turton de- ? The Jury returned a verdict of not guilty, and the prisoner was discharged. Arson. Henry Featherson pleaded not guilty to the charge. Mr. Turton defended. After a patient hearing the jury returned a verdict of guilty, but strongly recommended the prisoner to mercy. Sentenced to twelve months hard labor. Larceny from the Person. Robert F. Streater pleaded not guilty to the charge of having, on the 10th of March last, stolen eight £lO notes from the person of W. S. Greene. Mr. Turton defended and Mr. Nolan prosecuted. The evidence being most conclusive and the notes traced, the jury returned a verdict of guilty, and the prisoner was sentenced to twelve months hard labor. Purjury. Arapera Raroa was charged and found guilty of the above crime, which arose out of a case, Cameron V. Kereania, in the R.M. Court. Sentenced to thirty days hard labor. Unlawful rescue. Tamata Tantan and another was charged with unlawful rescue of horses which had been seized by the Sheriff’s officer. Mr. Brassey and Mr. Rees defended. An informality in the proceedings having been discovered, the case was quashed and the prisoners discharged. CIVIL BUSINESS. The civil business was commenced on Thursday. The cases Common & Co. v. A. Graham, and Brassey v. Common were settled out of Court. W. L. Rees v. Tohirere.

This was an action to recover N.Z.N. Land Settlement Co. scrip, valued at Z"7’7s°, and /’ioo. It appeared from the evidence that the scrip had been given to Mr. Rees at H’s own request, for safe custody, by the mem’ ers of a Maori committee, and the deeds having been placed in a box and locked, the key was handed to the defendant. Some time afterwards, being ill, and hearing “ troubled news ” about Mr. Rees, he wished to “ gladden his eyes by looking upon the scrip.” He accordingly obtained a'letter from some members of the committee, and sent it, together with the key, by a friend to Mr. Rees, asking to be allowed ttf see the scrip, and he would return then ? Having obtained possession he refused to return them because began to hear that Mr. Rees great humbug.” He also sent the scrip to Auckland in order to test its The jury found for the defendents, with costs on the higher scale. Murchie v. Victoria Insurance Co. Claim £l, OOO and interest on a fire insurance policy. Mr. Cooper appeared for the plaintiff and Mr. DeLautour for the company. During the progress of the case Mr. DeLatour stated that he dispute 1 the jurisdiction of the court on account of the contract having been made with a company outside this colony, when his Honor expressed much surprise at such a remark, and asked whether the company intended to give up all business in New Zealand.

The case lasted the whole of the day, and the jury retired shortly after nine o’clock', returning at 10.30 with a verdict for the plaintiff.