SUPREME COURT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18791, 29 May 1923, Page 4

SUPREME COURT

A sitting of the Wanganui Su preme Court commenced yesterday before Mr Justice Reed. The Grand Jury was: Messrs W. Bell, H. Frazer, C. Georgetti. C. W. Poynter, C. M. Cresswell, D. Meldrum, E. F. Billiton, T. L. Sperriug, I'. Treyloar, H. Saunders, W. Webb, S. W. Kernohan, P. Benefield, S. M Dixon. J. Ball, R. E. Cuthbertson, A. Emmett, E. Runncrstruni, A. Thompson, F. V. Connell, F. H. Caddy, O. Kitson, B. Bright. Mr Cresswell was chosen foreman. in addressing the Gand Jury His Honour said he was pleased to say that its duties ou this occasion would be very light. There was only one case for consideration and that was not of a very serious nature. He thought the jury would agree with him that lite district was to be congratulated upon the absence of. crime. He did not think the one case to come before the Grand Jury would occupy more than a short, time. The accused was charged with stealing a bridle aud horse equipment from a farm on which he was working in the Waverley dis trict. A true bill was returned against Alexander Currie. The evidence of the prosecution was to the effect that the accused at the beginning of this year was employed ou tlie farm of the late Mr Bremer. The latter was in hospital at Palea and New Plymouth, and while there was frequently visited by his sister, who also resided on the [ farm, the accused being left in charge. Alter her brother's death Miss Bremer missed several articles. She inquired Irom the accused as to their whereabouts, but he denied any knowledge of them. Subsequently a search warrant was executed, aud several of the missing articles were t'ouud iu a box in the room occupied by the accused. Constable J. Fitzgibbon said he went to tlie farm and was present when some of the articles were found in accused's box. Tlie latter said Miss Bremer had told him to put the things away. Maurice Greenaway said accused did not tell him what was iu the boxes, nor did he see the conteuts. To Mr Treadwell: Tlie stallion the accused bought had all the necessary gear. The accused said that he had been two years iu New Zealand, and was previously iu the employ of Mr Bampp at Marton. On the day Mr Bremer went to the iiospital he told witness that he would be Jett in I charge, and told him to put away any gear that was lying about. Witi ncss told Miss Bremer that he had i put away some of the stallion gear I iu a box. On the day that the con - stable went out witness met him on the way aud told him about the tilings in the box. To Mr Marshall: Miss Bremer must have known that the things were in the box. James E. Shepherd said he work cd on Bremer’s farm, and was there at the time Mr Bremer left for hos pital. Mr Bremer said to accused: "Well, Alick you are the eldest and I will leave you in charge of things.” The jury reiurued a verdict of not guilty.