TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 995, 23 May 1911, Page 4

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

SUPRKMK COURT. WELLINGTON, May 21. AI. tin l Supreme Court yesterday Edward Reynolds and Annin I'('1 were charged with using an instrument for unlawful pm pose on a girl of 17 yearn, between 14t b and 25tli March. Reynolds was also charged with unlawfully supplying an irisii umeut, knowing it to have been intended for an unlawful purpose. The Court wan cleared. Mr Herdinan appeared for Petersen. Mr Wilford for Reynolds, and Mr Neave for the Crown.

His Honor directed the jury to bring in a verdiet of not guilty. lie .assumed the girl’s story to be true, but our law was such that in this class of crime where the girl herself was a participant, and did the tiling voluntarily, there must lie some corroboration of her story. The girl might have a civil remedy. Her parents might- Ixr able to due for seduction, and might call Mrs Pct rsen, who would be bound to give evidence. If he was wrong the Court of Appeal would rearrest Reynolds, am. if proper, would order a new trial. His Honor was very sorry, considering the circumstances. The jury found a verdict of not guilty. Mr Neave will move for a now trial. A nolle prosequi was entered in the other charges. A ROY’S HEATH. HAMILTON, May 22. The ten-yen r-old son of Mr McNickle was fatally accidentally shot on Saturday, when playing with' a loaded allot gun during his parents' absence. It is .surmised the boy took down the gnu from above the mantel for the purpose of practising Scout drill, and the concussion discharged the weapon, shattering the lower part of the Ikiv’s head. A verdict of accidentally shot was returned at the inquest.