COURTS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9119, 11 April 1908, Page 8

COURTS.

Wellington, April 10. In tho Appeal Court the case of tho Grown versus Martin Johnson was argued. Johnson was tried before Mr Justice Cooper and a jury at Napier on a charge of setting fire to the premises known as the “Silver Grid.’’ Counsel for the Crown omitted to prove that the building was fixed to the soil, and at the conclusion of the Crown’s evidence counsel for the prisoner contended that without this evidence there was not sufficient evidence to go to the jury, and that they should he directed to acquit the accused. Honor,held there was sufficient evidence, and so directed the jury, who convicted the accused. The judge, however, reserved for the opinion of the Court or Appeal the questions whether there was sufficient evidence, and whether his direction was right. Tho Court, without calling upon the Crown to reply, delivered an oral judgment affirming the conviction.