SUPREME COURT.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 March 1924, Page 1

SUPREME COURT.

GREY-MOUTH SESSION. GREYMOUTH, Alarelt 13 The Greymouth sessions opened yesterday before Mr Justice Adams. A former postal officer, Francis Roland Moates, a young man was charged: (I) that on December C. 1023, being a postal officer, lie did steal postal notes to the value of 17s; (2) that on December 0, 1823, being a postal officer lie did steal notes to the value of 15s, and (3) that on October 20( 1923, being a postal officer, ho did wrongly sign a postal note for 10s, in the name of J. H. Hnzeldine, with intent that the postal note so signed would be acted on a» genuine. Accused pleaded not guilty to the first charge hut guilty to the two latter. Mr KBellingham handed a report from a probation officer, which stated that the hoy was in the habit of playing pool and billiards for fairly large .sums, and that he also betted heavily on racehorses. "The Probation Officer does not recommend probation,” said bis Honor. Continuing he said that he would take time to (•• ashler the case. There were difficulties in the way of granting probation. lie would intimate what course he would decide to adopt at 10 o’clock to-morrow, and meanwhile accused would he remanded. INDECENT APS A ULT.

Charged with indecently assaulting a girl, 10 years of age, on the Ihirrytown Road on September 0, 1923, George Frederick Boutko pleaded not guilty. After hearing evidence and counsel for the Crown and defence had addressed tlm jury, they retired and later returned with a verdict of guilty of common assault, with the recommendation that accused ho placet! under police supervision for five years.

His Honour intimated that sentence would he passed this morning. JURY DISAGREE. BY TBI.IiGIIAPH — I'll KSS ASSN'., COBVltR.li r. CHRISTCHURCH, -March 12 The hearing of charges of conspiring to defraud, forgery, uttering, and theft against Frank Triter Herbert Coull, formerly an officer of Wellington Repatriation Board, was concluded to-day, when the jury returned after a retirement of four and a quarter hours. The Foreman said that the jury had found it impossible to agree upon the verdict. .Justice Sim: Is there no chance of agreement “ The Foreman: “None whatever, Your Honour.” -Mr Maeassev, Crown Prosecutor, said that he would formally apply fior a new trial at the next Criminal .sittings in Christchurch, but, -under instructions issued to the solicitors of tlie Crown, he would ask his Honour’s opinion if he thought a retrial would he in tlie interests of Justice. His Honour said ho would order a new trial at the Criminal Sittings at Christchurch oil .May 12th. At the same time lie thought the Attorney-General would he justified in ordering that there would not be another trial, and entering a nolle prosequi. The prisoner would be, released on hail as formerly. MASTERTON SENTENCES. A! ASTEKTOX. March 11 Fit deni k Henry at the Supreme Court got -ix years for indecent assault on a male child, this being his second .offence, after serving four years for a similar offence. ( hallos \\ ilson elected to he tried by jury on a charge of obscene language and was acquitted.