SUPREME COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1927, Page 3

SUPREME COURT

[by TF.I.KGR.U’II —rEI) PRESS ASSOCIATION

BANKRUPT CHARGE. TIM ARC, Alav I

At the Supreme Court George Sunderland .Meredith and Samuel James Hiteldns, grain merchants, of Wainiate. were jointly charged with being bankrupts. They had failed to keep such hooks of accounts as were necessary and .sufficient, and further with having concealed certain assets being debts due to them. After bearing evidence extending over more than a day. flic jury returned a verdict of not guilty*. MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE. DUNEDIN. May r. The Supreme Court continued hearing the charge of manslaughter against Ashley George Eaigan, there being a second count of negligently driving a motor ear and causing the death of Neil Gauld, who was knocked down by the ear while crossing a street. Judge Reed, in summing up, said on the manslaughter count a very interesting question of law arose. The question which required a verdict by the jury to enable the Court of Appeal to give a decision on the point was whether the mere fact of a person driving a motor without a license and killing a person, was guilty of manslaughter. Ii was indisputable that accused had no license and that he killed a man. Consequently if the law was correct, it was the duty of the jury to find the accused guilty on the first count. Regarding the second count if the jury said in effect. “Poor beggar, he did not mean to do this and we won't convict him.” then the holocaust of motor accidents would go on unchecked. The jury returned a verdict of guilty as directed by the Judge, on the first count; and guilty oil the second with a strong recommendation to morev on account of accused’s youth. Hr was remanded for sentence.