COURT NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 August 1926, Page 3

COURT NEWS

BANKRUPTCY FRAUD. [JIT TELEGRAPH PER PRESS ASSOCIATION'. NEW PLYMOUTH, August 20. Tile action by the D.O.A. against -Martha Knapton to have certain documents declared void was completed after occupying the Supreme Court for the greater part of the week. The grounds for the action were that defendant’s husband, prior to his bankruptcy, had transferred his assets to ( ihis wife with fraudulent intent.

Justice McGregor held that fraudulent intent had been proved, and the documents relating to transfer were declared void. Justice McGregor characterised Knnpton’s conduct as fraudulent and his evidence as unreliable, and said that his wife had to some extent been a party to fraud. An order for seventy-five pounds costs was made against defendant, in addition to all disbursements and expenses. The defence was that the property really belonged to the wife in the first place, and that the transfer was in liquidation of a lawful debt. A RORTTON CHARGE. INVER CAR GILL. August 20. George Win ton was charged with, on or about the month of February, 1926, bo did unlawfully supply to a young woman a certain noxious thing, knowing that the same was to he used to procure a miscarriage. After a lengthy hearing, accused pleaded not guilty, reserved his defence and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial.

VALUELESS CHEQUE FRAUDS. CHRISTCHURCH, August 20. Nine charges of having issued valueless cheques were preferred against Cyril George Fitch, trainer, aged 34, who appeared at the Magistrate’s Court this morning, before Air H. A. Young,

S.M. The total amount of cheques was £•52 17. s 3d. Six were alleged to have been issued in J.eithfield, two in Papamii. and one in Amherley. Fitch [(leaded not guilty to all the charges, and elected to be dealt with by the Magistrate. Chief Detective Gibson’s | application for a week’s remand was granted. Bail was allowed in self CIOD with a surety of £IOO. DUNEDTN. August 20. Tn Chambers, Justice Sim granted leave to Nellie Hcwinson to commence legal proceedings against the Exhibition Company. A similar order was made in respect to Gertrude Lueretia Nind. Both actions arise from in- j juries sustained in the Amusement Park. DAIRYMEN EXPLOITED. CHRISTCHURCH, August 20. The Christchurch vendors of bottle< milk decided to-night to petition Par liament praying that legislation be on acted with the object of preventing dealing in bottles by unauthorised persons. One dairyman stated that he had lost 2,500 bottles since January. SPECIAL DIVORCE BILL. WELLINGTON, August 20. In order that the case of Mildred Elaine Smyth, of Auckland, should he thnrmmhlv investigated prior to the Mildred Elaine Smyth Divorce Bill being finally considered, Maurice James Walkington Smyth, husband of the petitioner, is to be brought from the Mt. Eden Gaol to give evidence before the committee, which will consider the measure. His petition to have his marriage retained is also to he considered.