SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VIII, Issue 2170, 11 October 1875, Page 3

SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS.

-1 (PEE PBESS AGENCY.). Q— - . .Wellington, Saturday. : The Criminal Sittings of the Supreme Court terminated last night at eleven o'clock,' when Eliza' Smith was acquitted of .perjury, after three days' trial,, during which the most barefaced perjury was committed. Mr Buckley defended tho girl,'and in addressing the jury, said the present case had arisen out of criticisms by portions of the Press, after tho conclusion of Cameron's trial and his conviction last session for rape on thisgirl, Eliza Smith. This pase (he said) was practically anothor trial of Cameron for rape, .as tho prosecution attempted to prove the-offence had never been committed.:.' A man called Jeffs, a seedsman, was the principal prosecutor. His conduct, he told the Court, was actuated by "strict moral principles." Of his.evidence, ; Mr Buckley said Jeffs and Mrs Oameron (the wife of the convict) had for weeks concoctcd this case, and that Jeffs evidence was contradicted in every point, and was so utterly contemptible that it could aot be credited. The Chief Justice, in summing up, said, ,with reference to Jeffs, his evidence .was unsatisfactory, and | whether from, design or inadvertence, he had given evidence at variance withiacts. After the. jury had given a verdict, of " Not. guilty," his Honor directed certain of the witnesses for the'prosecution to be brought before him. He told them he had the power to commit them all for trial for perjury; but would leave it to the Crown to . decide what steps should bo taken with regard to tbem. His Honor concluded by saying he feared the foolish, observations of some ignorant writer in the Press had a great deal to do with this prosecution. The sentence passed on Cameron for . rape, instead of being too heavy, was far too light.

• Gbeymotjts, Saturday. The result of the crushing, for the Energetio Quartz Mining Company at Inangahua from the 16th of August to the 4th October has given 7670zs 12dwts of melted gold from 893 pounds of stone. Additional heads of stampers have been ordered for the battory, and will bo erected within a month. A dividend of five shillings per six-thousandth share has been declared.