COURTS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12658, 21 November 1905, Page 5

COURTS.

P^r Press Association, v

WELLINGTON, November- 20./.; The Supreme Court criminal; sessions opened to-day, the Chief Justice; presiding. His Honour, addressingithe Grand Jury, said the list of crimes-was hot large, but it included a case of murder of a Chinaman by Lionel Terry. The jury would be assisted by the fact that Terry admitted the crime. The-question of mental attitude would hare to be considered >by the .common jury. True bills were found in all oases except in the charge of shooting with intent, brought against Edward Gibson, late chief mate of the ship iLoch Garve, and a charge ofc theft against William Hartley. John Hamilton pleaded guilty to theft from a dwelling, and was remanded in order that the probation officer might report on him. Edward Williamson, alias Brown, admitted guilty of assault and robbery, and was also (remanded for enquiries. William Barritt was acquitted of a charge of arson near Mangaweka. . The hearing of charges of forgery against James Cody'stands adjorned in order that witnesses might attend. One (IMrs Kennedy), who failed to answer to her subpaena, was fined £50. Robert Mewhinney, charged with indecency, did not surrender to his bail, and has sureties were estreated.

AUCKLAND, November 20

The Supreme Court has opened. There are.4l cases, including one charge of murder and one of attempting murder. Judge, (Edwards expressed regret at euch a heavy calender. Referring, to the charge of murder against Andrew Campbell, of Rotorua, His Honour said that probably an attempt would be made to reduce the charge to manslaughter. That question must 'be left to the common jury. Campbell asserted that Hislop 'had persisted in coming to his house and aßSUitiug himself and his wife. He was protected against insult by the law, and must not take the law into his own hands. There appeared no answer to the major charge, but all hoped ciroum-' stances -would transpire reducing the crime to a charge of manslaughter. A fisherman named William Reid "was charged with -attempting to murder a woman by pushing ther off a boat on. ■which they had (been living. It was for the common jury to say if the charge should be reduced. He'would see that the man was not punished for a crime greater than he had committed. ©UNEDIN, November 20. > For riotous behaviour at the main railway station on Saturday night, Robert Murdoch, George Brockie, and John Crawford were fined £5 or six weeks' imprisonment for assaulting the police, l^ie evidence showed that 50 persons were obstructing the police at the railway, and poMoe services had to be requisitioned be-fore the irioting was quelled. BLENHEIM, November 20. Justice Cooper has concluded the civil business of the local sittings of the Supreme Court, aiid leaves for Nelson. OHRISTOHUROH, November 20. ; At the Supreme Court this afternoon, William Thomson, ex-attendant at the Sunnyside (Mental Hospital, admitted a chaivge of striking a. lunatic detained in the Hospital. Th© probation report was_ very favourable. It admitted, that the" accused had hitherto borne an excellent character, and stated that Thomson struck in a fit of temper; when under the influence of drink. His Honour said the case was not that of a malicious or callous man abusing his authority, although there had been gross impropirdety. Accused had already lost his position a,nd toad been put to heavy legal expenses. He wouldybe fined £5.' Alfred James Warren was-sentenced to six months and Thomas Busst to two years for breaking febo a .bootmakers' shop and stealing goddslto. the value of £7 9s. ;

'Bat-rick" O'Shea was ■■"acquitted on a charge of passing <& gilded shilling for a sovereign. ■ -■ - ■■'•- Eric Peterson appeared on a charge of shaving attempted to casfc away the ■Oanopus 'by cutting 'her mooring line at Lyttalton o-n Friday night, and _ with Slaving eomniitted tine crime of mischief by cutting the "mooring line of the vessel. No evidence was given showing an intention to cast away, and the damage done to the line "was estimated by the master of tJhe.Canopus at £l. The Crown then abandoned the case for, according to the Criminal Code., mischief involves damage to 'the extent of at least £5, and tihe accused was acquitted.