Supreme Court Sittings.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5049, 9 July 1884, Page 3

Supreme Court Sittings.

* The criminal sittings at Christchurch closed yesterday afternoon. The Court was occupied almost all day with the cases against Orniandy and Bolls, charged — the one with larceny, and the other with receiving. Both the accused were acquitted. The only other case on the calendar was postponed till October, in consequence of the disappearance of the principal witness for the prosecution. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, July 8. At the Supremo Court to-d:iy Albert Kemp, mate of the English barque Hudson, was charged with refusing to assist a police constable who was arresting some disorderly sailors on board the Hudson. The jury found accused "Guilty," with a strong recommendation to mercy, on the ground of its being his first offence. The jury also expressed an opinion that the constable should have asked for the officer on board. His Honor said in his opinion defendant was guilty of a serious breach of duty, both as one of the Queen's subjects and an officer of the ship. It was absolutely necessary to mark the case as one deserving of severe censure in a Court of Justice, and judgment was that the defendant forfeit .£2O to Hor Majesty forthwith ; and in default of payment, bo imprisoned for one calendar month, unless the fine bo sooner paid. W. H. Monckton was found guilty of making a false declaration under the Marriage Act, and sentence was deferred. Alice Lynch pleaded guilty to the same offence, and will be brought up to-morrow for sentence. DUNEDIN, July 8. At the Supreme Court to-day, Thomas Flynn was found guilty of perjury committed in the R.M. Court at Palmerston South. He brought an action there to recover ,£4o from Mrs Brown, a widow, who ; is a hotelkeeper, and swore that he gave her .£2O in cash to keep for him, and that | she also detained a cheque value .£2O. It was proved that Mrs Brown got no cash j from him, and that she gave him change

for the cheque in full. Sentence waa deferred pending the decision of the Court of Appeal on a point of law reserved. The case against Stewart M'Comb, for sheep stealing at Lawrence, occupied all the afternoon, and at the adjournment three witnesses for the Crown remained to be examined, the jury being locked up all night.