SUPREME COURT.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 May 1924, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

[by ti:i.i:o)*-*.i*ii —i*i-:u press association.] RING ING-T.Y CM AIiGESr-*-, S ENSATI (>X A L DF. V F.I.OPM KXTS LI K ELY. DUNEDIN, May 8. It is reported that, during the last few days, there have been some sensational developments in connection with the ringing-in charges that will ho heard at the Supreme Court in Christchurch this week. Various rumours have been in circulation for .some time past to the effect that many more prominent persons than those who have already lieon indieted. have been involved in transactions in connection with trottinjr. and although most, of these stories are" proha lily only tho result of idle gossip, those intimately associated with tfie sport have been of the opinion, for some lime. Hint there is at least a substratum of truth underlying them. It is known that the New Zealand Trotting Association lias been actively

investigating certain matters for the past three- years, and although the actions of certain individuals have been deemed to la- highly suspicious, the- evidence- had not been considered strong enough to warrant any drastic

action living taken. However, recent events have spurred both the Association and the- police into renewed ac-ti-

vilv. and important clues have been revealed, it is now stated that an individual. who see-mod more or less involved in one of the eases already before the Court, has made a clean breast of the whole business, and important, developments are anticipated at any time.

AUCKLAND SENTENCES. AUCKLAND. Mas- 8. At the Supreme Court Taupai Vac-' wae a Maori was found guilty of indecently assaulting two little girls at Wailti. Mr Justice Stringer said that the offences against voting children were so prevalent in recent times that he regarded it his duly to deter other evil disposed persons from similar outrages. The- prisoner would tic- sentenced to live years’ imprisonment, and ordered to receive i ze flogging of tell strokes el the i-at-o'-iiiiie-tails. With Charles Matthew O’Malley appeared for sentenc e on a charge of receiving, Counsel reminded His Honour that O'Malley had not lic-eii found guilty of the major charge of breaking. entering and theft from a warehouse in Auckland, hut simply on a charge of receiving. His Honour said: ‘•I shall accept the finding of the jury hat personally I have no doubt that he was guilty of the major charge. However. I most stand loyally by the jury as they are responsible. O'Malley was admitted to two years’ probation.