SUPREME COURT.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1010, 1 October 1903, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

Pen Press Association. Hokitika, last night,

In the Supremo Court John Watson Scully was found guilty ou three counts of procuring an instrument to causo a miscarriage. Lator. —In tho Supremo Court to-day, Catherine McAuley, charged with manslaughter, that as midwife she did not exercise reasonable skill, was acquitted. In the case against John Watson Scully, hotel-keeper, of Westport, convicted of procuring the abortion of Amelia Edge, a young girl, Mr Justice Denniston said that ho had some doubt as to whether the intention ought to be in the aid of the accused, who procured the instrument, and ho would reserve the point for tho Court of Appeal. He decided to suspend passing sentence until October 26. Bail was allowed accused, himself in £6OO and two sureties of £3OO each, accused to surrender at Wellington on the date. In tho case of Rex v. Louisa Harding, charged with manslaughter and concealment of birth, the Judge directed the jury to acquit accused. He commented strongly on the police obtaining a statement from a girl of seventeen under coercion and characterised it as opposed to the principles of British justice. In civil jurisdiction, Wolfe v. McFarlane, claim for possession of hotel property, a judgment was given by consent. In Irvine v. Cookery, an appeal against a conviction of Magistrate Hawkins for the Sunday sale of liquor, the appeal was allowed, and the conviction was quashed. In Heron v. Heron, husband’s petition for divorce on the grounds of desertion, a decree nisi was granted, Foeley v. Flowers was an appeal from a decision of Magistrate Day on a point of law on two informations for breach of the Licensing Act. Judgment was reserved. This concluded tho business.

Dunedin, last night,

In the Supreme Court James Melwood, charged with stealing irom a dwelling, was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment. Otto Heerdejan, alias J. C. Adams, for theft at 'Wellington and Invercargill, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.