AUCKLAND SUPREME COURT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 210, 24 May 1918, Page 4

AUCKLAND SUPREME COURT

ILL-FEELING AMONG PRISONERS AT MOTUIHI. By Telegraph—i'ress Association. Auckland, May 23. At tho Supremo Court Fritz Schumalkuthe, formerly a planter ut Samoa, was obnrged with assaulting Franz Volkmor, a fellow-prisoner at ilotuihi, and causing hiui bodily harm. 'J'lig prisoner admitted striking Volkmer, but raised tho question of the Court's jurisdiction, claiming tliat ho was a prisoner of war. Mr, Justice Stringer said ho ivas propared to refer tne point to *he Appe.il Court, but would try the prisoner iu tn« meantime '.finally, a plea of not guilty was entered. .Evidence was given that accused lilt Volkmer, after calling him opprobious names. Accused said Volkmer Had created much ill-feeling owing to his revolutionary views. A verdict of guilty wns returned. The prisoner complained about his detention in Mount Eden gaol lor lix weeks owing to being unable to arrange for bail. Ho had to associate with criminals, and had Buffered owing to bis nationality. In new of tho prisoner's detention at gaol, no sentence was imposed, and accused made no furtlior reference to the Court's jurisdiction. Vladimir Karevitch. a Dalmatian, on two charges of breaking and theft, and ono of escape from custody, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment on each charge, the sentences to run concurrently.