SUPREME COURT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8733, 6 February 1907, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

Per Press Association. Wellington, February 3.

At the Supreme Court, John Burke was found guilty of a criminal assault on a girl, seven years of age, and was sentenced to seven years’ penal servitude, and ordered to receive two floggings of twenty-five lashes. His Honor said no case had ever been before him in which such brutal conduct by man to child, whose innocence and imbecility should have been her protection, had been so clearly proved. James Ellis, James Gerard, and George Williams, charged with assault and robbery, were acquitted. The Grand Jury threw out the bill charging Win O’Brien and Palmer Spry, of the City Fire Brigade, with manslaughter of Amy Kensington. . Before being discharged the Grand Jury submitted two presentments to the Court. Tho first one was, “Wo respectfully’ beg to draw your Honor’s, attention to tiio system brought under our notice during tfio giving of evidence, and acknowledged to obtain in business houses, of allowing special discounts on the private accounts of officers of public bodies. In tho case directly brought under our notice, a discount of 25 per cent was allowed. Wo respectfully contend that such a system is to commercial life, and in particular oilers incentives to obtaining contracts by methods which cannot bo regarded as strictly honest.” Tho second presentment was with regard to statements made by a girl to'tho police, tho Grand Jury suggesting that such statements should only bo taken in the presence of a witness.