District Court.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 286, 7 June 1895, Page 2

District Court.

PALJIERSTOtf NOKTH, YESTERDAY. (Before Judge Kettle). BREACH OF TIIE TOST OFFICE ACT. George Storey was charged with having, as a post officer, unlawfully opened a letter directed to Mrs C Eickard, Ohau, on May 14th last. Accused, for whom Mr J. H. Hankins appeared, pleaded guilty. In answer to His Honor, Mr Hankins said accused was 34 years old, had been in the Palmerston post office for some months, prior to which he had been stationed at Wellington. The probation officer being absent yesterday in Wellington, His Honor remanded accused till this morning in order that a report from the probation officer might be obtained. &|Accused was released on his former bail. IUIEACH OF THE BANKRUPTCY ACT. Andrew Farquharson Laureuson was charged with having failed to keep proper books of account within three years of his bankruptcy on November 16th, 1894. Accused, for whom Mr Baker appeared, pleaded not guilty. Mr S. Fitzherbert, Crown Prosecutor, conducted the prosecution. The following -jury was empanelled : — W. Park (foreman), J. P. Leary, W. T. Dawick, G. Gill, J. Smith, A S. Palmer, C. E. Hall, J. Barrett, J. J. Meldon, J. Snasdell, W. Denman, T. Henry, W. Meredit. After the evidence for the prosecution had been heard the jury, alter fifty-live miuutes' retirement, found as follows: — " "We find the accused guilty of uot keeping proper books according to the Act, but consider tlzat he kept such books as are usually kept by men iv his position. The jury request your Honor to deal as leniently as possible with the accused." Mr Baker claimed that this amounted to a verdict of not guilty. His Honor held it to be a verdict of guilty. Prisoner was released on his former bail, to appear to day at noon, when the report of the probation officer will be presented. — Standard. This Day. I At the District Court this morning \. T. Laurenson was admi'ted to probation for six months on a charge of failing to i keep proper books to show his financial position, and was ordered to pay costs amounting to about .£25. George Storej r , charged with opening n letter was admitted to probation for 12 months, and ordered to pay costs of the prosecution and find one surety for i.'loo. Judge Kettle gave the prisoner good advice, warning him if he did not keep better company, and reform his ways he would sentence him to a term of imprisonment, the probation officers report was favorable for both of the accused.