PALMERSTON SUPREME COURT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1004, 8 February 1912, Page 3

PALMERSTON SUPREME COURT.

The sittings of the Supreme Court in Palmerston opened at the Courthouse, before the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) on Monday morning. His Honour, iu addressing the Grand Jury, stated he had to congratulate them upon the fact that there were only four criminal cases set down for hearing. He briefly reviewed the charges for the consideration of the jury. Patrick McGafferty, charged that on September 29th, 191 X, he assaulted, at Palmerston, Walter Stevenson, causing bodily harm, was found guilty, and was fined £25 yesterday.

AEEEGED BREACH OF THE BANKRUPTCY ACT.

The morning was taken up by counsel’s addresses and His Honour’s summiug-up in the case in which Win, Thos. Bowater is charged with a breach of the Bankruptcy Act iu having obtained, by means of an alleged false statement of his affairs, property to the value of 15s 6d, Irom Abraham and Williams, and not having paid for same.

The verdict returned was that there was no intention to defraud, and accused was acquitted.

A RONGOTEA DIVORCE CASE.

Hearing was next commenced of the action foi divorce, on the grounds of adultery, brought by George William Gibbs agaiust Eva E. Gibbs and G. A. Thompson.

Mr Cooper appeared for petitioner, Mr Williams for respondent and Mr Moore for co-respondent.

The case for the petitioner, who is schoolmaster at Glen Oroua, was briefly as follows: Fie. married the respondent. eight years ago at Saudou. Subsequently they went to Tasmania, and two or three years ago returned to New Zealand, taking up their residence at Glen Oroua. Co-respondent was a building conttactor at Rongotea. Gibbs was obliged to be away from home in the day time, attending to his duties, and it was alleged that relations between his wife and Thompson took place on several such occasions. The climax was reached when Gibbs arrived home from Wellington one night unexpectedly, and, it was stated, secured evidence against the corespondent. In a lengthy letter to the petitioner, it was alleged, the respondent practically admitted misconduct. The case is proceeding.