NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1045, 12 November 1903, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND.

.(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last night. A Royal Commission, consisting of Messrs Beet-ham (Chairman), and Dr Andersonj of Christchurch, to enquire into tiie management ot the Costley Home, opened this morning. So far, no important developments have taken place. Arthur Wellesley Holland, who was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment by the Stipendiary Magistrate to-day, owed the State £243 in July, 1901, for the maintenance oi his six children, whom he deserted. He hid in the King Country two and a-hali years. CHRISTCHURCH, last night.

The inquest on the death of the illegitimate child of Catherine Minnie Howard, born outside the house on Sunday night, showed remarkable circumstances. The mother of the girl and Dr Symes gave evidence and the inquest was adjourned until tomorrow to enable a post-mortem oxlamination of the infant to he held. At the inquest on the body of Joseph Barrett, found drowned in the Avon yesterday, a verdict of suicide whilst temporarily insane was returned.. WELLINGTON, last night.

A decree nisi was granted in the divorce case Mary Jane Currie v. I-lenry S. B. Currie, on the ground •oi desertion. Respondent was recently sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment for perjury. The Appeal Court quashed the con-

viction of Scully. The Court were unanimous that it was sufficient for the purposes of the Criminal Code 'that there should be intention on the part of a person procuring or supplying an instrument to use it for '“'illegal purposes. The majority, however, Judges Edwards, Cooper, and Chapman, considered that such intention must exist at the time of procuring. It appeared that aecu»ed had purchased the instrument a considerable time before lie suggested its usej and as chore was no evidence at the time lie bought it that he intended it should he used fo„r illegal purposes, the conviction could not stand. Judge Denniston dissented. The Court refused to amend the indictment so as to alter the charge, to one of attempting to supply an instrument fo-r illegal purposes. In the case of the Loan and Mercantile Company v. Reid, juhgiment was held over, and the Court adjourned to February Btli. A sharp earthquake shock was felt at C. 52 this morning.