SUPREME COURT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12219, 11 May 1909, Page 5

SUPREME COURT.

CHRISTCHURCH SITTINGS

(Per Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, May 10. His Honour; ,Jn charg^pg^tlW Grand Jury, said the calendar wss ari mi usually lorjg one for the district, in which the list as a rule is moderate. Of the 1(5. bills one was removed from an out^ side district by arrangement; Though nob heavy, all the charges are of a comparatively moderate character- Only, one is of a sexual nature/but there was no outrage. There seemed to bei a decrease of crimes of that nature during the last few sessions in~all\ districts. ;

Referriing the chjurgoioo^unmrdei' against William Connolly, his Honour said the first admission of /.a«eiis^l that ho took a slight part in Ishe"affair was sufficient to establish a prima facie case for manslaughter, but in "view of his subsequent admission that he had been alone in the matter, he thought tho jury would find a true bill in the graver charge. True bills were found against James Henry Wilson, charged with forgery ; Alexander Kiddey, manslaughter ; Charles Geddis, forgery; Mary Blue and Christopher Denby theft, and Herbert Anderson, receiving stolen goods- No bill was found in the case against Jane Burnett for alleged concealment of birth.

The Grand Jury found a true bill in the murder case.

The following prisoners, were sentenced :—Albin Carson, indecent assault, six months; Albert■ Summeijon, gorging and uttering, admitted to 'probation for 12 months; Albert Clements, forgery, admitted to probation for 12 months; Henry J. Morrell, perjury, six months; John Windsor, housebreaking and theft, nine months each (concurrent); James Henry Wilson, who pleaded guilty to forgery and uttering, fpjfr.: months; Charles Geddes, forgery' and tittering, threo years, and declared an habitual criminal. George Egan and Wm.Autcin were found guilty of breaking anid entering. The first-named was sentenced to four months', and the.second to 18 months. On a second charge against Auton of a similar character, the jury, after two hours and a half', wore unable to agree and were dismissed, His Honour intimating that the Crown Prosecutor would apply for a nolle prosequi.