SUPREME COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 13 November 1929, Page 1

SUPREME COURT

SOUTHLAND CASES

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

INVEHCAJIGILL, Nov. 12.

At the Supreme Court, Thomas Harold Brewer, taxi driver, who was ,charged with carrying on the occupation of bookmaker on August 17th. entered a plea of not guilty. After retiring for 55 minutes, the jury brought in a verdict of not guilty, and accused was discharged. Two charges of perjury were heard before Mr Justice Kennedy, in the Supreme Court to-day, when Patrick O’Connell and his son, Joseph O’Connell, appeared to answer charges arising out of a motor by-law case in-the lower Court. Joseph O’Connell appeared first, and entered a plea of guilty. His Honour remanded the prisoner for sentence until 10 a.m. on Monday. Patrick O’Connell pleaded not guilty. The Crown Prosecutor defined the nature of the charge of perjury, and detailed the circumstances of the ease. Accused laid sworn that his car and his son had been at home when evidence was brought to show that the car had been seen in Invercargill. Accused’s son had later pleaded guilty to having driven the car on the night in question. There was direct evidence not only of a constable, who detected the minor offence hut also of a young man who accompanied the youth O’Donnell in the car on the night in question that the car was certainly away from home and in Invercargill. The facts were brought to the knowledge of the -accused on May 4th. and so he -had till June 12th. to discuss the matter with his son and family. He said the evidence all pointed to the fact that accused, in making his statement on oath before the Magistrate, must have been well aware of its falsity. It was the duty of the jury to consider the case very carefully, regardless of the consequences of their finding. After evidence for the prosecution had been given, the Court adjourned till to-morrow.

AT WANGANUI. WANGANUI, Nov. 12. The sitting at Wanganui of the Supreme Court opened to-day. There was no criminal business on the calendar. This is the second occasion thD year on which the Judge has received a pair of white gloves in 'Wanganui. Justice McGregor remarked: “I am sure it must he a source of gratification that the wide and populous district o’ Wanganui should he so free from crime. I lie same thing Happened here nine months ago, which makes it all the more remarkable. It seems a double event over which the district should he very proud.