SUPREME COURT

Southland Times, Issue 17193, 12 November 1912, Page 14

SUPREME COURT

DUNEDIN SETTINGS,

(Per United Press Association.)

DUNEDIN, November 11

The criminal sittings opened to-day. The following sentences were passed: William Tarcha, a .Maori, false pretences at, Queenstown and Invercargill, twelve months, and also declared an habitual criminal: William James Gadsby, stealing beef at Kaitangala, fined £lO and to be detained till the line is paid, the term not to exceed three months. Jas. Stephens was charged wilii breaking and entering and stealing a tin of castor oil at Naseby. The main point in the defence was that accused had left an intimation on a piece of wood that lie had taken the oil. Accused was acquitted. A lad, IT years of age, named Thos. Collins, was charged with indecently assaulting a girl of 12 years of age. The jury acquitted the accused. A young man named John Jas, White was charged with robbing a woman of a handbag and Bs. and with using personal violence. A charge of indecent assault was thrown out by the grand jury. The Jury found the accused guilty, but recommended him to mercy as the offence was committed under the influence of drink. Sentence ■was deferred.

A WELLINGTON’ CASTS,

SECONTi JURY DISAGREES.

WELLINGTON, November 11

In the case of William Knox, charged on three counts with performing an illegal operation, a retrial took place today, the jury on the former occasion having failed to agree. To-day's jury also failed to agree, and a fresh trial was ordered for the HUh Inst. Tomorrow a second charge against Knox will be proceeded with. Addressing the jury to-day. the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) said that he was sorry our laws were so different from those of other countries, Germany, France, and some parts of America, where tin agreement of twelve jurors was not required. He did not see why, if judges were not asked to agree on questions of fact, twelve Jurors should bo asked to do so.

BLENHEIM CO.NSPihAt'Y CAS(•

BLENHEIM, November 11

At the Supremo Court, in the cases of fraud against bookmakers. Edmund John Walsh (11 i and John Vernon BinIcy I I Mere round guilty on all counts. The Judge, in sentencing them, stressed tin- good characters tin- accused had borne, and the fact lull they bad been locked up several limes, and the circumstances of the breakdown of tie- former trial. The Jury's recommendation also vveigried. and lie thought the ends of justice would lie served if they were i.oi .<>• rl i,,.d to a term of imprisonment, lie- proper course. Un- i tier the circuni; laijip's, lie .'.v'ould inflict a 1 fine and order tjua costs be paid by instalments. I'acii fined £2.1. and AValsh was ordered to. pay MO costs and Einley ' 1 ;i , live v.* ■ . being given to pay the fine.