SUPREME COURT.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1920, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

GREYMOIJTB, June 24

The Supreme Court sittings were opened yesterday before Mr Justice lierdman. There was only one criminal case for hearing, Harold Farrell and William Farrell were charged that they did wilfully commit perjury by falsely swearing upon oath in their evidence to the Court that "trenches on the ground pegged out and applied for complied with the regulations under the Coal Mines Act, 1908.” After a retirement of a limit 1.0 minutes, the jury returned with a verdict of “not guilty” and the accused were

discharged. "Ellen Smith, of Globe Hill, proceeded oil the grounds of desertion, for a divorce against Alfred James Smith. His Honour mode fi decree nisi, to be made absolute within three months. Respondent was ordered to pay costs on the lower scale.

In the case of Rex v. W. It. Kettle, in which the latter was claiming possession of a piece of hind atKumara station (on which the Junction Hotel is erected) it was stated that the residential area i in dispute was originally granted to a Mrs Duckworth. Defendant had a mortgage over the property, part of which is on tlie Railway Reserve. Kettle later on secured possession of it. At the present time Wm. McLean is the licensee of the Kumnrn Junction Hotel. The defendant considered that, through the Crown accepting rent for the area, defendant was entitled to the area on the Railway Reserve. The Crown were awarded costs on the lower scale, and the question of the disposal of the land will he settled at the Court this morning. T). McLean and Griffon and Smith v. J. P. McLean and Alan Smith,.in a claim for a statement of accounts, etc., with regard to the assigned estate of one Watkins, of Waiutu. After legal argument, liis Honour decided that the plaintiffs wore entitled to, the claim, through the trustees in the assigned ease of Watkins, in proportion to the amounts of other claims against that estate; and also that the claim of the plaintiff, Duncan McLean, be based upon the sum of £217 3s Id, the Registrar’s report being varied by adding to McLean’s claim the sum of £ls 8s 2d. The claim of Griffon and Smith is to lie based on tlie amount of- £205 18s 7d, as suggested in tlie Registrar’s report. The sum to he divided between the plain tiffs at the present day is £73 Bs. Tlie parties to the action are to pay their own costs.