DISTRICT COURT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 6112, 14 December 1898, Page 2

DISTRICT COURT.

. —-», —. MASTEKTON-rYEDNESDAY.

(Before His Honor Mr District Judge Kettle) The District Court opened at Masterton this morning, The first case that was called was that; of Albert Anderson on a chargo of ; theft. ( Tho thirty-six jurors summoned were' called and then dismissed till required. Albert Anderson was charged with having taken a watch of the value of £l,, the property of Miss I. Munro, from' the shop of William Dougall on the Ist December, 1897, and also with" taking another watch of the yatue of £2, tho property of Win. Dougsll. Mr C. A. l'ownall, who appeared for the accused addressed the Bench at considerable length quoting several cases. and sections of the Act and that the information must be dismissed I on the grounds that it was not laid within the time required by the Act but the accused would plead guilty pending His Honor's decision on the matter.

Mr A. 1(. Dunny, who appeared for (lie Crown, also addressed tlio Court and replied to Mr Pownall. His Honor said that the question raised by Mr l'ownall was a most important one and had never yet been brought forward iu New Zealand. He would reserve his decision on the matter i till it had been referred to the Court of Appeal, The accused was then charged with* taking a watch from Mr Dougall's shop,, of the value oE £0 which Was afterwards, by consent of Counsel, agreed to be; valued at £3, and pleaded not guilty. A jury was empanelled and Mr G. W 7 , Scliroeder was elected foreman. The Court theu proceeded to take the evidence jn (he caso which was tho same as that given in the lower Court. Two ' watches hud been brought in to Mr Dougall's shop for repair and the accused.it was alleged, had taken them from the shop and sold them to William Shaw. The delence set up by the accused was that although he had taken tha watches in the first and second charge,, he did not lake the one valued at £3. and stated to have been sold to MrShaw.

The jury after evidence retired at. 12.15 and returned at 12.30 with a. verdict of not guilty, On the first and second charges tfie accused was allowed bail on his own recognisance of £SO and another of £SO, the case to come before the nest sitting of the Court after the Court of Appeal sittings in March.