SUPREME COURT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160814, 23 November 1920, Page 5

SUPREME COURT.

WANGANUI SESSIONS. His Honor Mr Justice Chapman presided over the sitting’ of the Supremo Court which opened- at the Courthouse this morning. GRAND JUET.

The following were called to the Grand Jury-W.' S.' Corby, W. Ecberton, H. W v Cooper, 0. Morgan,' S. Powdrell, W. H. Redwood, S. Holm, R. C. Harrison, R. G. McNiven, W. B. Lowrey, W. M. Smith, W. T. Stewart, F. H. Allen, J. Fairbum, L, D. Patterson, R. MoSkimming, J. Lawrence, Li Stracban, W. Ashwell, W. D. Ayson, 0. G. Brodie, A. T. Tymons. Mr McNiven was chosen foreman.

His Honor,-in addressing the Grand Jury, said that he was pleased at being able to say that the jury would be detained only for a short time. There were several cases, but none of them would involve a lengthy investigation. Some of the cases, unfortunately, were of a very regrettable character. It seeded to him that lately, in some of the districts in which he had sat,) there had been a fair absence of sexual cases, but unfortunately there were several casee of that class to be investigated hero. It did not necessarily reflect upon this district, Frsm time to time there was a sudden increase in a certain class of crime, while in another district it might be disappearing. After referring to three-cases of that nature, his Honor remarked that the rest of the oases were of the ordinary type of stealing, except one, which presented some extraordinary features.

A MARTON CASE. ALLEGED THEFT OF JEW EL LEE Y. The first case tried was that against Edgar Bonnor Collins, who was charged with the theft of a quantity of jewellery, valued at JSO, on August 10th, 'from the residence of V. H. Kitcat at Morton.

The accused, who was not represented by counsel, pleaded rot guilty-. ThS* Crown Prosecutor, Mr C, C. Hutton, in opening the case for the Crown, said that Mrs Kitcat, was away from homo at the time of the alleged offence. Upon her return the discovery was made that a quantity of jewellery was missing. Detective Cameron, while having dealings with the accused on another matter, discovered in his possession certain, of the articles mentioned in the indictment, and after further investigation this prosecution was the result. The accused stated that he found the articles near Aramoho bridge, and admitted that ho had sold some in Wanganui and also an article in Marton. Some of the goods were subsequently recovered from second-hand shops. Evidence in support of counsel’s statements were given by Mrs Kitcat and' Detective Cameron. The latter added that at Marton the accused said to him, “To tell you the truth, I was in a pub, and bought the lot for 305.” This concluded the evidence for the Crown i ■'

The accused desired to give evidence, but. refused to be sworn on any Bible but the Roman Catholic version or on the Prayer-book belonging to that Church

The hearing of the case was held up while the police went in search of a book to meet the accused’s wishes. When this was forthcoming the accused was sworn in the ordinary way. In the course of his evidence the accused said that he purchased the jewellery from another man in a hotel at Marton for £1 10s. The vendor was in financial difficulties. (Proceeding.)