COURT NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1929, Page 5

COURT NEWS.

DIVORCE GRANTED. v ßy Telegraph—Press Association). AUCKLAND, March 6. Stating that he could not accept respondent’s evidence, Judge Kennedy to-day granted a divorce, to Honour Clark MacKcn/.ie, whose husband is serving a three years’ sentence for assault on her, causing bodily harm. FALSE PRETENCES. AUCKLAND, March 7. Robert Vernon, aged 31, was sentenced to three months for obtaining from Ilall Skelton, Solicitors, £5, by falsely representing lie was a land agent and had sold a- farm for £4,750. The Chief Detective stated that Ver_ non made a habit of taking down solicitors, by telling similar tales. Counsel said accused had no money and the temptation was too great for him, and times were very hard. Magistrate Levin: Who for, the solicitors ? (Laughter). For everybody, replied counsel. Solicitors don’t fall as easy for £5, interjected Allan Moody, who was in the Court. Some might, but not all. SEAMAN’S THEFT. WELLINGTON, March 6. Joseph Morlcand, 32, a seaman, stole a saxophone and case, valued at £35 from the boarding house where he was staying, and pawned it for £4. Thefts of money had also taken place, and these were attributed to Moreland who, however, did not admit them. He pleaded guilty to the theft of the saxophone, and got three months’ imprisonment. JUDGE OVERRULES JURY. GISBORNE, March 6. Disregarding the Grand Jury’s finding of a true hill against Joe Te Reo charged with unlawfully wounding a cow, Mr Justice Ostler took -the reponsibility of discharging the prisoner without trial. His Honour said it was clear there was no case to go to a jury, and it would be idle to proceed with the prosecution. He directed therefore that under Section 3 1 of the Crimes Act., accused be not arraigned.