SUPREME COURT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2001, 9 February 1907, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

Press Association. AUCKLAND, last night. At the Supreme Court Criminal Sessions to-day Ernest Henry Walker, charged with attempted rape on a married woman at Ruarangi, was found not guilty, and discharged. Arthur Wells, a youth, 15J years old, charged with carnally knowing a girl under the age of 16 years at Kaitaia, was found guilty and recommended to mercy on account of the extreme youth. His Honor deferred sentence till to-morrow morn--lUg' WELLINGTON, last night. At the Supreme Court to-day A. IT. Chow was found guilty of carnally knowing a girl under 16; and You Lee, who pleaded guilty to a similar offence, were put forward for sentence. They were sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment. His Honor took into consideration the fact that the girls had been previously corrupted and the jury’s recommendation of Chow to mercy on the ground of solicitation by the girl. WELLINGTON, last night.

William Scott and Harry Martindale pleaded not guilty to an indictment of four counts, charging them with keeping a betting house at 57 Lambton Quay, and of receiving money for purposes of betting. Two probationary constables gave evidence that on a series of dates they visited defendant’s . premises and made bets with each of the defendants, received dividends paid by accused, and saw defendants take bets from and pay money to others. Counsel, for defence, pointed out that it was not illegal to carry on the business of a bookmaker. The Legislature could not prohibit bookmaking while it legalised the totalisator. What was illegal was the localisation of the business. The onus was on the Crown to prove an actual physical resorting to the place for purposes of betting. It was not sufficient to establish mere casual betting. There must be a keeping or uso of the place. The evidence of the probationary constables was such as must heavily discount it in the minds of the jury. The jury brought in a verdict of not guilty, and defendants were discharged.