SUPREME COURT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2428, 17 February 1909, Page 5

SUPREME COURT.

CRIMINAL SITTINGS. [Puess Association.] AUCKLAND, Feb. 16. At the Supreme Court, in the ease against William Fitzsimmons, on a charge of robbery of jewellery from the shop of Pascoe., in Newtown, Mr. Justice Ed wards said it was impossible on the evidence to convict accused, who was discharged, and a direction was given for" a prosecution on a charge of perjury of Torawhiti, the Maori who was alleged to have represented to Ford that he was in possession of stolen rings. PALMERSTON N., Feb. 16. At the Supreme Court to-day Robert Bergstrom, found' guilty on two separate charges of sheep-stealing, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment with hard labor on each charge, the sentences to. be concurrent. George Dawson, who had an extensive record of previous convictions against him, extending over his whole life, both in Australia and New Zealand, was found guilty of- theft from the person. Dawson had stolen a purse from a woman at the Foxton races, and was caught in the act. His previous convictions in New South Wales alone numbered over twenty, and Judge Chapman sentenced him to three years’ hard labor, and classed him as an habitual criminal. DUNEDIN, Feb. IG. At the Supreme Court to-day Edward McKenzie and Louisa McKenzie were convicted on a charge of committing incest at Mosgiel, the jury making strong recommendation to mercy, especially in the case of the female accused. The male accused was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, and the female accused was ordered to enter into -recognisances of £2O to come up for sentence when called upon. In the ease of John Stephen Toomey, charged with discharging a rifle at his stepfather., Daniel McCurdy, with intent to maim, disfigure,-, dis--able, and do grievous bodily harm to him, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty, adding: “Wo are of opinion that the shot was fired under great provocation and in self-de-fence.” John Good will ip;, brough t up for .sentence on a charge of housebreaking and entering with intent to commit a crime in the Invercargill district,, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. This concluded tho criminal business. v