SUPREME COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1930, Page 5

SUPREME COURT

AN ACQUITTAL,

(By Telegraph—Press Association).

WELLINGTON, Feb. 4

At the Supreme Court, R. B. Garney was aequited on a charge of caUnal knowledge 'and indecent assault. The jury considered the department, in whose, charge the girl was, lax in not having her examined.

Justice Reed remarked he did not agree with them and doubted if there was any material entitling them to come to such a decision.

PAMERiSTON X., Feb. 4

The Supreme Court opened this morning before Justice Ostler, who congratulated the district on the almost complete absence of serious crime. In his charge to the Grand Jury, he said, in addition to a prisoner for sentence .there was only one case for trial, of allegedly obtaining a small sum by false pretences, which could quite well have been dealt with in the Magistrate’s Court. The Grand Jury, in returning a true bill, expressed the opinion that it was an unnecessary expense, having the case dealt with by the Supreme Court. His Honour agreed that it was a pity the time of so many people must Ive wasted, instead of the case being dealt with by Justices in the Lower Court. TIMARU, Feb. 4. The Supreme Court opened to-day before .Justice Adams. There are three cases for adjudication—alleged murder, alleged negligent driving, and alleged indecent assault. Addressing the Grand Jury. His Honour expressed regret at the three charges. Referring to the charge of murder against Jack Oldfield, His Honour said it appeared that accused was at the war. where he was wounded in the head and leg. After referring to domestic matters during the intervals between return from

the war and the alleged commission of the crime, His Honour made reference to the murder, relating the evidence given at the preliminary trial and said that the Grand Jury should have no difficulty in dealing with the ease. Referring to the second case of alleged negligent driving His Honour said that the outcome of the collision was a fatal accident, the charge being brought under the Motor Vehicles Act which made it a punishable crime if a person drove a motor car negligently, thereby causing the death of a human being. Here again the Grand Jury should experience no difficulty in arriving at a bill. In this case the jury returned a true bill after a short retirement. It is understood the Oldfield case will be heard to-morrow.