SUPREME COURT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 279, 19 August 1920, Page 8

SUPREME COURT

TAMNAKI CRIMINAL CASES. :By Telegraph—Press Association.. New Plymouth, August 18. At the Supreme Court yesterday the Grand Jury threw out the charge- of murder against Mary Oyston, but returned a truo bil.l on the other count of concealment of birth. The common jury returned a verdict of not guilty or) this charge. A verdict of not guilty on all counts Tens returned in the capes nuninst Albert Edwnrd Magon, Charles Mn?on. and Frederick Magon, who were tried on charges of arson and defrauding nn insurance company. The trial occupied yesterday afternoon and, all day today. His Honour, in 'summing up, said ho" regarded, the Crown's case as a weak one. BREACHES OF BANKRUPTCY ACT. By Telegraph-Press Association. Christchurch, August 18. In the Supreme Court to-day, Jvanhoe Price, convicted on four charges of stealing bicycles, was sentenced to imprisonment for two Tears, with hard labour, James Edward Durrani, for the theft of a bicyclo and money was eentenced to reformative detention for two years. William Shaw, a bankrupt, formerly in business in Christchurch .as a rubber merchant, was found guilty on two'charges under the Bankruptcy Act, sectence- being deferred till to-morrow. The jury found that he "made payments out of the regular course of his. business, not being for Ibo ordinary expenses of himself and his family," and that "by rash and hazardous speculation he did bring about his bankruptcy." TIMARU CASES. Timaru, August 18. At the Supreme Court to-dayi Hugh M'Lachbin, charged.with the. theft of a bicycle at Ashbivrton, wnß fined £1. A decree nisi was granted in the case. David Rodcers (licensee of the Boynl Hotel) v. May Rodger? and M. J. Sims. A iury of four awarded the fnll amount of the claim for .£21.1 damages for personal injuries to Marguerite Fairbairn Miller (Christchurch) against' the Railway Denartment. Plaintiff was knocked down by a luggage trollv on the Timaru Station platorm on December 30, and had an arm broken. She had since been unable to pursue her calling. Counsel for the Crown gave notice of application for a new trial on the ground that the verdict was against tho weight of evidence.