SUPREME COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 19 August 1932, Page 6

SUPREME COURT

NOT GUILTY VERDICT.

(Per Press Association — Copyright.)

CHRISTCHURCH, August 19.

At the Suipreme Court,. Buiit can Burke was charged, on two counts, of killing William Henry Victor Laing } a tram conductor, on May 7th., or assaulting Laing.

The jury, returned a verdict of not guilty. This case was a sequel to a tram strike disturbance.

CHIEF JUSTICE’S DIRECTION 1 . CHIUSTCHTJRCH, August 19. The .Crown Prosecutor said the case was V sequel to the. tramway strike, when a crowd, demonstrated outside Lanokster Park. Laiqg had subsequently died in the hospital. The charge hinged on the question of identity. Laing had been set upon, by a number of men. Only one .person could identify the prisoner as the man who delivered the blow. , After hearing the evidence, the Chief Justice, summing up, said it seemed a case where the accused could be given the benefit of ; the doubt. There were inconsistencies > in the stories of the various witnesses. The jury returned a verdict of. “not guilty,” without leaving' the box.

TRANSPORT SUIT.

GISBORNE, August 19

At the Supreme Court, Justice Ostler commenced hearing am application by Whitfield Motor Coy.,' who are proceeding against' No. 4 district transport licensing authority, on & motion for certiorari and prohibition in respect to the cancellation of plaintiff company’s license for Gisborne-Napier route.