SUPREME COURT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 42, 14 February 1912, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

CHRISTCHHUGH SESSIONS. (Pei; Press Association.) Christchurch, February 12. •' The criminal sittings of the Supremo Court wore opened this morning, before Mr Justice Denniston. His Honor, in addressig tlic Grand Jury, referred to the greater extent and seriousness of the calendar than was usually the case in this part of the Dominion. A large proportion of the list was, however, not of a very serious character, and the jury

should not find much difficulty in dealing with it.

Referring to the charge, of manslaughter against Reginald Blunden, his Honor said if deafly had been caused through neglect of duty, accused was then guilty of manslaughter. If a man drove a motor car through the city he was bound to acquire reasonable skill, and he was also bound to take reasonable care. The case in question, however, was not one of some young blood dashing through a'Crowd and risking people’s lives. If the jury were satisfied that the evidence was clearly inconsistent with guilt, they would be justified in throwing out flic, but if they were satisfied there wasj a prlma facie case, they must bring m a true bill. His Honor entreated.them, .not to let private feelings influence their finding. - . j.Ui t■ ,

The jury brought in a no bill against Blunden, ,and true bills in the other cases, i ' l ■ >< 1 •

A woman, who had plodded guilty in the flower Court to concealment of birth, was .ordered .to come up for sentence when called upon. His Honour said that he would' bring the matter of these offences before the notice of his brother judges in Wellington next month, and perhaps they would come to some definite conclusion in regard to them. In England for many years the sentence had boon' 18 months’ imprisonment. Another woman jdeaded guilty to a charge of concealment of birth, and was committed to the Salvation Army Home for five months. Lewi’s Torn Chapman, 1 a youth, pleaded, ’gUilty to having indecently assaulted a girl. His “Honor said' the offence was of a nasty' class, but not of a' serious ■ nature.’ The case would have been better met by a sound, thrashing of prisoner; on the part * of his father. He (his Honor) was not going to send prisoner to gaol. Prisoner would be ordered to coipe up for sentence whep.’caffed upon. . James i Robertson Crowley, who tame up for sentence for breakin'ghiud entering and theft, Trended a, statement, ' which ' said he had led an honest and God-fearing life. Pris-

oner was admitted to twelve months’

probation on condition ' that lie abstained from partaking of liquor absolutely, and pai d""£d —trDWPfts Tiro cost of the prosecution within six months.

■ George Fraser and--Georgs""Foster were convicted .on- .;of theft from the person: at Wcspgton. On one indictment the accused were each sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment. On the others sentence was suspended. Colin Cameron was sentenced to two years ’imprisonment for theft from the person. - J( John Sylvester Hogan was convicted on a charge of breaking and entering and 1 theft and found guilty on four charges of forgery and uttering, and was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment. DUNEDIN SESSIONS. Dunedin, February 12. At the Supreme Court to-day, Lindsay Templeton Bell was convicted on two charges of false pretences, and \vas sentenced to three years’ imprisonment, with hard labour. This concluded the criminal sittings.