SUPREME COURT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1441, 15 December 1885, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

CRIMINAL SESSIONS.

Timaeu, Deo. 14th, 1885. [Before His Honor Mr Justice Williams], His Honor took his seat at 11.22, GRAND JURY,

The following were the Grand Jury t —Major Barnfield, Messrs J. T. Morris, Jas. Granger, R. Stewart, K. F. Gray, J. Kelland, E. G. Kerr, D. West, A. B. Spalding, G. F. Glulee, A. J. Crawford, B. E. Hibbard, T. Tescheraaker, W. S. Lindsay, 0. S. Fraser, H. Newbold, R. R. Taylor, Jas. Ord, E. Withers, and A. E. Cox. Mr Kerr was chosen foreman. judge’s charge, His Honor in delivering his charge observed that the calendar was extremely light, none of the offences being serious. TRUE bills. True Bills were returned against John Hill, for horse-stealing; G. Yale, false prttefices; Henry Palmar, cow-killing ; Albert Hoskins, larcany from a dwelling ; and James Willis, forgery. Horse stealing. John Hill was charged with’stealing and disposing of one mare, the property of William McDonald. Prisoner pleaded “ Not Guilty ” JO stealing, but Guilty ” of disposing of the mare. His Honor ordered a plea of “ Not Guilty " to be recorded, and the following jury were empannelled Messrs K Cornish (foreman), W. Ferrier, L. Quick, P. Power, A. McKinnon, J. C. Williams, W. Tilfer, W. H. Fletcher, W. J. Rudd, R. Warrington, J. 0. Ruskin, and H. Fieldman. In this case prisoner was alleged to : have hired the mare when she was in livery in Waimate, and taken her away, and subsequently disposed of her. When called upon to speak in his defence, the prisoner said he was under tho influence of drink when he committed the offence. His Honor summed up, and the jury immediately returned a verdict of “ Guilty.” His Honor asked what was known of the prisoner. Inspector Brohara stated that he had already been three times convicted, and was at the present time under committal from the R.M. Court, Christchurch, for larceny. His Honor, in passing sentence, said ho must take into consideration the previous career of tho prisoner. He would be imprisoned for two years with hard labor. FALSE PRETENCES. George Yale was charged with obtaining from W. Moody, Timaru, a cheque for £2B 5a on July 12 by falsely representing that he was tho owner of certain unbmcumbered property at Makikihi, Prisoner pleaded “ not guilty.” Mr White appeared te prosecute, Mr Hamersley for the defence. The following jnry was empanelled Messrs A. McKinnon (Foreman), J. Fitzsimmons, R. Warrington, W. H. Fletcher, G. Culmer, J. Yelvin, Geo. Gosnay, H. 'Fieldman, M, Fitzgerald, J. Jones, J. Wild, and T. Baker.

The evidence was to the effect that prisoner asked Mr Moody, Timaru, to discount a bill for £3O, and represented himself as the owner of four encumbered sections at Makikihi. On the strength of this representation Mr Moody.discounted the bill, but when it became due it was dishonored. For the defence it was ahown the agreement wa« not specific enough, and on this ground the prisoner was acquitted.

FORGERY. James Willis, charged with forgery, was also acquitted.