NAPIER.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 5487, 4 December 1884, Page 2

NAPIER.

December 3.

Two men, one an ex army officer, were acquitted on. a charge of robbery from a dwelling-house near Tarawera, The case was olear as day on prisoners' own confession, butit transpired that the confession was obtained by a promise given by the arresting constable that if they showed where a watoh was hidden they should be liberated. Without the information con* tamed in the confession the oharge oould not have been proved, and the judge told the jury to dismiss the confession irora their minds.

The following sentences were passed at the Supreme Court this day :— Thomas Slater, forgery, 18 months 1 hard labour; Hepry Douglas, larceny, with three previous conviotions recorded against him, 18 months hard labour; Karaitiana, horse-stealing, two years' hard labour. In the case of William Wilson, charged with perjury in connectum with the reoent assault oases \t Tarawera, the jury were discharged, after being looked up five hours in consequence or the xoreman having been seized witluan epileptic fit. There was no sign of the jury agreeing at the time of discharging. A new trial has been ordered for Thursday. . In the Supreme Court to-day John Sylvester, charged with 0 firing at Mr Chalmers, Railwag Inspeotor, with intent to murder, was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years* penal servitude. <