SUPREME COURT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8756, 5 March 1907, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

..PALMERSTON NORTH

Tiio criminal sifting of the above opened yesterday before His Honor. Mr Justice < ' The Grand Jury was empannoll-id as follow :-W. Park (foreman), W.H. Collingwood, K. Stevens, W, Rn-k, W. Strang, H. M. Copeland, H. S. Waldecrave. O. Holler, C. J.Gawith, D. Prouse, J.R. F, Pratt, J. D. Cox, G. W Harden, T P Blake, J, Permain, F. S. Goldingbam,’ J. S. Lamg, C. Clausen. E. Gascoigne, A. W. George, L. A. Abraham, S. E, Lancaster and A. A. Lissamail. His Honor, in addressing tire Jury, said that the calendar, although not of a very lengthy nature, comprised some very serious oases to which they would have 'to give their careful consideration. He then summarised the coses in order. The iury retired and found true bills in the cases of Alfred Kussoll (obscene lan"ua<m), Michael Alexander (indecent assault) 1 , Thomas John Lesley (attempted indecent assault), Jane Martin (arson), John Maughan and Susan Colo (lutoinpvccl abortion and no bill for manslaughter).

OBSCENE LANGUAGE. Alfred Russell (Mr Cooper) was charged with using obscene language in Mainstreet on September Gth. Accused pleaded not guilty. Mr Pitzherbert appeared for the prosecution. Alfred Coley, junr., deposed that on the 6th of September ho was passing accused in a cart when the latter stopped him, and in the course of conversation called him names in the offensive language complained of. A ■ Boro'ersen deposed that ho was present near the Kailway Station at the time the language was used, and it could be distinctly heard by passers-by. ° had also used bad language to vitne.s when under the influence of dunk. A Coley, senr., said he arrived on the Scene in time to hear an argument bofiveen accused and tno last witness There were a number of people about at (he time who could near the bad language being used. Mr Cooper submitted that the words were common every-day words and iTofe not obscene. Evidence for the defence was then given by W. Tamplin and T. Chambers. Accused, who is a cab-driver, domed usin<r the language, but admitted that he had used words of a less offensive nature. The iury, after a short retirement, acquitted accused.

INDECENT ASSAULT. Michael Alexander (Sir Gifford Moore) Was charged with indecent assault upon Florence A. Powell, a girl ol 12. J years, on I'jth February. The case was heard a few flays ago in the lower Court. Sir litzherbert prosecuted for the Crown. Before commencing the case His Honor remarked that the evidence would be of a disgusting nature, and no good could be derived by publishing it; therefore ho would forbid publication. He also instructed the police to remove a number ot youths from the Court, who were there to satisfy n morbid curiosity. At the termination of the evidence His Honor addressed the jury at considerable length, dwelling upon the seriousness o' the crime and the moral effect it would have upon a child of that age. After a short retirement the jury returned a verdict of guilty. The accused will he sentenced at 10 o’clock this morning. DIVORCE.

Mary Ann Parkes petitioned for a divorce from her husband, William Parkes, on tire ground of adultery. Respondent did not appear. »The petitioner said she was married several years ago. She went away in May to England for a holiday and returned last October. She then received information which led to the present petition. On 11th October she accused him of misconduct with a girl at Otaki. She had three children from the marriage, and in 1893 they also adopted a little boy, whom petitioner wished to retain the guardianship of. Maude Parkes, daughter of petitioner, deposed that in her mother’s absence her father had brought a woman to the house whom he stated he had known for years. While in 'another room she heard her father say “Yes, dear” to the visitor Shortly afterwards a letter came to the house which witness opened. Directly after that her father left for Wellington on a Saturday and returned on the Monday. He told witness he had stopped at Otaki as ho had missed the train. She produced a piece of blotting paper, which 'contained her father’s wilting to the woman in question, the words “From your own loving Will,” and sundry remarks about kisses, etc. When her mother accused respondent he first denied the accusation, and subsequently stated that the woman led him astray. His Honor granted a decree nisi, pet itioner to have the custody of the adopted child. Thomas Front Blake, for whom Mr Innes appeared, applied for a restitution of conjugal rights with Emily Blake,

who did not appear. T. P. Blako deposed that lie was r&arriod last year. They lived at his farm, at Kelvin Grove. His wife on May oth, ns sho appeared dissatisfied. He had been very kind to her while she stayed. He had written to her four* times to return, and on the last occasion she sent a telegram, “Thanks, awfully, ha! haha !” Petitioner also instructed Mr Innes to write, which : ho did, but failed to get a reply. The order was granted, respondent to return within one month from date of service of the order.