SUPREME COURT.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 May 1926, Page 1

SUPREME COURT.

[llY TELEGRAPH- PEI! rIIESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, May 4. Mr Justice Reed presided at the opening of the Supreme Court criminal session, and congratulated tho district upon its freedom from crime. There were only three cases, none of them serious, and a search of tin l records showed Hint such circiimstancQs had not been known since forty years ago. In order to facilitate a small business deal which lie was negotiating and to gain time for .consideration of the details, Trevor .Tames Phillips, a young man. forged a cheque for £6O in the name.- of two trustees of the Church Hall Court, of which he was secretary. The deal fell through and tho offence was discovered.

To-day Phillips stood his trial for forgery and uttering. It was stated that the cheque was encashed. Phillips had given ii more tu secure time than to obtain cash. FTe had no intention to use the cheque. The jury returned a verdict of guilty of forgery, and on the charge of uttering guilty without intent to defraud. They recommended that- the prisoner be admitted to probation. PALMERSTON NORTH. May -L. The Palmerston North quarterly sessions of the Supreme Court opened this morning before Air Justice Alpers. The Grand Jury returned true bills in the cases of ITa/tel APNamara. charged with infanticide, and Herbert Aliehael Bailey. charged with negligently driving a motor-cycle and allegedly causing the death of a cyclist. Addressing the Grand Jury, his Honour congratulated the district on the absence of serious crime, saving that tho two criminal charges were the outcome of very unfortunate acts. Considering tho diversified interests of a centre of this importance, where so many young men were in positions of trust, there was a- remarkable absence of cases of dishonesty. There was an equally gratifying absence of sexual cases.