SUPREME COURT.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 February 1924, Page 1

SUPREME COURT.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

THE AUCKLAND SESSIONS. AUCKLAND, Feb. *5.

In his charge to the Grand Jntj at the opening of the Suptcni' Court sessions, Judge Stringer in reviewing the eases, said that the mo t -cnous was that against Joint ( brio iphor Higgins, arising out of Hr- tragedy at the AA’aikino School. There '.’ould be no doubt that two children were actually shot and killed. 'I hi only possible answer to the charge was that the man was insane at Die Gate of committing the Act. AA’ilh that, however, the grand jury was not concerned. The onus of proving that he was ijisntie was upon tlio aec*ns.ctl. anti il that question was raised it would be one for the common jury. Referring to the charges against James AA’ilson, town clerk, and Hilda Tui Ingham Faulbanni. the cashier of the Devonport Borough Count il. the Judge said if appeared that irregularities were taking place for months, if not for years, AVilson inducing the cashier to give him money from the Council's cash box. holding his cheques until he was in a position to pay. There was L:t00 not accounted for, and each blamed the other for the continued deli, i,.my of £BOO. IT AVilson could establish that he always gave cheques f,,r the money borrowed and redeemed those cheques, he would not he respusihle for the deficiency. His Honor advised Lite grand jury to find true hills against both. AUCKLAND, Fob. 5.

At the Supreme Court, the Grand .1 urv returned “no bills” against Louis Raymond McLean, alleged assault and robbery, and Greta Tui Faulbaittn, charged with theft of Devonport Borough funds. True hills were found in all the other cases. Two young men, Patrick Gunn and Charles Cox, pleaded not guilty to breaking and entering the premises of F. Norton in Karangnhapo Road on January otli. and stealing Go diamond rings valued at C’6oo. They also denied a charge of receiving certain of the rings.. Tim jury’s verdict was one of not, guilty of entering and theft. hut both were found guilty of receiving. Justice Stringer sentenced each te three years’ imprisonment, and again declared each an habitual criminal.

RECLAIMED LAND. TTAIARD, Fell. ~>

At the Supreme Court to-day, Justice Adams heard argument in a friendly suit for the recovery of L’A7* lls 2d. rates levied by the Borough Council on lands owned hv the Harbour Board. For the process of years, since the breakwater was formed in Timarii. a gradual deposit of shingle ha- reclaimed a considerable area ol the land apart from the reclamation used for harbour purposes, is admittedly rateable, the balance being the real cause of the dispute. Argument turned on the definition of the words •’liarhmtr works” in the Harbours Act, and tli" words ‘'reclamation of land,” which form part of Die definition in question, and further, whether land that lui- been reclaimed unintentionally, hv the action of the >ea ; on which no public money lias been -pent, conies within the exemption clauses. the opinions oi the sobch-Or* for the Harbours' Association and the Altinici|.al Association were handl'd in. The Judge reserved Hi - deep.-ion.