MRS, ANSTICE ACQUITTED.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 832, 2 June 1910, Page 9

MRS, ANSTICE ACQUITTED.

THE WADESTOWN ARSON CASE.

JURY DID NOT BELIEVE CHIEF WITNESS. BUT THE JUDGE DID. A retrial of Alice Mary Ansiice upon a charge of pprforiniiijj an illegal operation was proceeded with yesterday, before the Chief Justice (Sir Robert. Stout) and a jury. Jlr.' AVilford and Mr. Cracrofl: Wilson appeared for accused. Legal points were raised as to whether there was any evidence at all against the accused, seeing that (in the opinion of her counsel) the only evidenco against her was that of an accomplice, and the only corroborntion was given liy another accomplice. His Honour agreed that, it a verdict of guilty was returned, he would reserve the fyuints for argument before the Court of Appeal. After a retirement, of three hours, the jury returned with a verdict of "not guilty," on the ground of insufficient evidence. His Honour remarked that this meant that the jury did not believe' tho evidence of the principal witness for the prosecution. If it would be any comfort to. that lady, his Honour would say that he himself believed her story.

PROBATION GRANTED. The young man, Eberhardt Ferdinand Eenner, who had been found guilty, upon his third trial, for arson at Wadestown, was brought before the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) yesterday for sentence. , Jicnner had been represented by counsel at the first two trials, but, at the third, he conducted his own ease, btating that, as,,he, was .in poor circumstances, he had been uimble to obtain u lawyer to appear for him. Mr. H. I , '. O'Leary, who appeared for Renncr yesterday,, stated that he had been instructed after the young man had been found guilty. He asked that the provisions of. tho First Offenders' Probation Act might be extended. Several well-known citizens and former employers of Eenner were to have been called to testify as to his character, but, as these had made leports to the Probation Officer, it would not be necessary for them to appear. As to tho casu itself it was less serious than many arson cases that came before the Court. The houso in .which the fire occurred was unoccupied at the time, so that there was no risk to human life. Moreover, the firo took place early in the evening, and during Hie summer, so that the occupants of adjoining houses were not likely to be in bed at the time. The damage done was inconsiderable. Renner had nothing to gain In tlit way uf iKcr-iusuranco it tho house had been destroyed. His Honour remarked that the Legislature had exempted arson from the benefits of the Probation Act, unless the facts of the case showed that there had not been danger to life. In the present case, his Honour did not consider that life had been endangered. Still, more houses than one might ,havo been destroyed, if the fire had occurred at a later hour, ami tlit■case, therefore, was on a border line. Considering the testimonials received through the Probation Officer, his Honour had decided to grant probation, ltcnnor would be required to pay J25, as portion of the costs of the trial, but he would be given six months in which to make payment. The term of probation would be twelve months. BURNHAM SC'hOOL ABSCONDER. GIVEN A CHANCE. The lad, Albert William Foote, who lu.d absconded from Burnbam Industrial School, and had pleaded guilty to bur'glaryin Blenheim, along with another Burnham boy, was brought before the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) yesterday. When Foote came up on SatHraay last for sentence, he aske'd not to be. seni back to the school, and stated that ho would prefer to be allowed to go 10 J friends in Mariborough. Sentence was accordingly deferred, in order that inquiries might be made v whether anyone would take the lad and care for him. His Honour remarked that ho intended to let tho lad go to the place which an uncle had found for liim. Probation could not bo granted, as there were numerous convictions against Foote, but ho would be allowed to go free, unless called upon by the Court. He would be required to write ft letter once a month to the Probation Officer to le thim knowhow he was getting on. It was the lad'Si last chttiKX and. if 110 di(l not tn ' ce a lesson, , he might be brought up again, and receive an indeterminate sentence.