SUPREME COURT

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 4 March 1908, Page 31

SUPREME COURT

GISBORNE, Merch 2. The Supreme Court opened to-day, the first oase taken being a charge of horsestealing against an alleged follower of the prophet Rua. The Grand Jury found no bill in the case of Wm Joseph Burke, a publican, charged with perjury. Ira Luturakakiki, found guilty of horsesteal ''jw wa « sentenced to six months' imprisonment. juilu o. Buckland, auctioneer, was acquitted on a charge of failing to account for £10 9a for the sale of a horse. David Johnson was acquitted on a charge «f stealing & horse, saddle, and bridle. NAPIER, March 2. At ths Supreme Court to-day three lads —Percy Jones. W. R. Hughes, and R. J. Clearkin— pleaded "Guilty" to several charges of breaking and entering. Clearkin, who is under 13 years of age, was ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. . The other two lads, who are ebbut 16, were admitted to probation on the first charge, and' ordered to come up for sentence when called upon on the others. Hugh Hamilton was found guilty of indecently assaulting a little girl at Wood•ville, and was remanded for sentence. Arthur Rouse, a youth of 19, pleaded *' Guilty " to a charge of forgery and Tittering, and was remanded for the probation officer's report. Gilber Broad, who pleaded " Guilty " to «. 'charge of attempting to commit suicide, was remanded for sentence. On other charges of attempted murder, attempting to do bodily harm, and with threatening to kill a young woman, a verdict of "Not guilty " was returned. WELLINGTON, February 26. A dispute arising out of an agreement Between a coal company and its agents was heard before Mr Justice Chapman to-day. The agents in question were Henry Montague Field and Thomas Andrew Flemming Field, of Nelson, who sued the Puponga Coal Company, of Golden Bay, Nelson, for £5632, damages for alleged breach of agreement to employ them as agents to sell the whole of the company's output. Damages were estimated on commission at 10 per cent, of the company's output during three years. The case entailed legal arguments by counsel on the points of law involved. Judgment was leeerved. INVERCARGILL, Febru&rv 26. In the Supreme Court William and James lorde were found guilty of theft from a Chinaman's dwelling, and remanded for sentence. Daniel Forde and Thomas Philiipteon were acquitted. The court was occupied for the rest of the day in hearing the Charge of manslaughter again6t Lloyd. The oase was unfinished when the court rose. The evidence was on the lines of that previously given. At the Supreme Court William Forde ifras admitted to -probation for twelve months, and James Forde was fined £5, on a charge of stealing from a Chinaman's dwelling. March 2. At the Supreme Court to-day, D. C. Ul'lntosh, of Drummond, sought to recover Xrom the National Mortgage and Agency Company £1131 lls 3d, moneys alleged to bare been wrongfully retained by defen-

dants in connection with the sale of land. Claimant's counsel stated that the parties had arranged, subject to his Honour's approval, to submit accounts to the registrar. There was one large item of £1000 in dispute, arising out of the price of the land, and he submitted that this item must be decided by a jury. Defendant's counsel agreed to the examination of accounts, and they were accordingly (submitted to the registrar.