SUPREME COURT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2512, 27 May 1909, Page 5

SUPREME COURT.

AX ACTION SETTLED; [Per Press Association.] PALMERSTON X., May 26. At the Supreme Court, an application was made in Chambers for a special jury in the case in which Horrocks sued Theodore West for £945 for the cost of a. house and £550, the value of furniture destroyed by fire at Fielding, on the ground that the fire was caused by defects in the chimney. West was a builder, who had completed the erection of the residence just before the fire. A special jury was opposed by Mr. Myers, and refused. Subsequently a settlement was effected by defendant agreeing to re-erect- the house for £939, utilising the material of the burnt hoiise.where possible.

CRIMINAL SITTINGS

DUNEDIN. Mav 26

In the Supreme Court Joseph Sweeney was charged with stealing a horse and bridle, the Crown Prosecutor mentioned that accused was undergoing a term in Tiinaru gaol, on a sentence imposed by a Magistrate, and he ashed for an order to bring the accused to Dunedin for sentence. Ilis Honor said probably a simpler method would be to ask the Executive to move accused to another prison. Frank Moriarty. about 40 years, was charged with indecently assaulting a girl at- Duntroon. The jury returned a verdict of guilty, and sentence was deferred. George John Osmond pleaded guilty to a charge of forgery, and was admitted to probation for six months, on condition that he paid the costs of the prosecution, £2]4s. Thos. Hussev. jun.. was convicted on a charge of assault and robbery, and sentence was deferred. AUCKLAND, May 26. Robert Carr, found guilty last session of shooting Captain Mewett. at Dargaville, and in whose favor a point was reserved for the Court of Appeal, was sentenced to two years’ hard labor. Judge Edwards said the crime was a particularly shocking one, as the accused deliberately shot at a man who had saved his life when that man was trying to prevent two men from quarrelling. His Honor declined to accept over-indulgence in' liquor as an excuse. , This afternoon, Alfred Brewer, alias C. Anderson, pleaded “not .guilty” on a charge of having at Kihikihi forged a cheque for £lO, and by meaiisl of a false pretence induced J. Bathurst, at To Awaniutu, to cash the cheque. The prisoner endeavored, without much success, to prove that he was drunk. The jury, without retiring, brought in a verdict of guilty., and the prisoner was remanded for sentence. » Ramcka, a Maori, convicted of having fraudulently converted various sums of money to his own use, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment with hard labor.