SUPREME COURT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10927, 17 November 1913, Page 6

SUPREME COURT.

* CHRISTCHURCH. Monday, Novkmiskr 17. (Before- His Honor Mr Justice Dennis ton.) Tho criminal sessions at the Supreme Court were opened this morning before his Honor Mr Justice Deunieton. Mr T. \V- Stringer, K.C., appeared for tho Crown. THE GRAND JURY. The following Grand Jury was empannclled:—Alexander Boyle (foreman), Leonard Banks, Samuel. Hardy, Edward Adomar Cogan, Alexander Storrie Duncan,. William Variau Wilson, William James Moir. Albert Partridge, Henry Ernest llowo, Charles Frederick Thomas, George Penlington, George Edward Dalton, Clarence Frederick Turner, 4 03K1U Ballantyne, Richa'd Thomas Lees, Samuel Jackman, William Field, Ernest Robson Caygill, Arthur Wollesley Cooke, Charles" Alexander Ferguson. His Honor's charge to the Grand Jury was brief. He remarked that there were eight indictments to be dealt with involving cases of a very serious character, but none of tho cases in the calender would present anv difficulties for the Grand Jury. Referring to tho charge of murder preferred against Biddle, his Honor said that it would not give any trouble. That thoro was a prima facie case of murder against Biddle was clear. There was his admission that ho struck tho blows and there were the facts in the case. He tlicn referred in detail to -the evidence given in tho lowor court. i TRUE BILLS. The Grand Jury returned true bills in the following cases: Frederick Arnritage, alleged theft. John M'Clusky, alleged indecent assault. William Charles Merrett and Sydney "William Arthur, alleged theft. George Miles, alleged theft. William Philip Mgar, alleged breaking and entering and theft and alleged receiving stolen goods. Ernest Ilobson, alleged theft. Alfred Martram Biddle, alleged murder. PRISONER FOR SENTENCE. YEAJI FOR A BIGAMIST. Walter Herbert Bassett, who had pleaded guilty to a charge of bigamy, appeared for sentence. He declined to make a statement, and his Honor in imposing a penalty said that he treated the case as a serious one. The prisoner had obtained possession of a women's person by. fraud, which was almost as bad as taking it by force. Bassett was sentenced to imprisonment for twelve months. ALLEGED INDECENT ASSAULT. John M'Clusky pleaded not guilty to a charge of having indecently assaulted a girl under sixteen years of age at Setton on October 3. The girl's age was six years. AUCKLAND CASES. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, November 17: Addressing the grand jury at the opening of the Supreme Court this morning, Judge Edwards remarked thai; of, twenty-four bills, one-third were for disgusting offences against^the person, one oharge of murder and one of manslaughter. A decree nisi was granted in the case of Theodore J. Harrison against Queeniss Whilhelmina Harrison, misconduct, the co-respondent being Harry E. Myers. Petitioner resides at Matiere, and lived with Ids wife for three years at Eltham.