THE COURTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 44, 16 February 1912, Page 5

THE COURTS.

STATUTORY DECLARATIONS

(Per Press Association.)

Christchurch, February 15,

In the . perjury charge against Twentyman Wilson at 7 the Court, the Prosecutor contended that as the declaration before the Justice of Peace was voluntary counsel’s objection was invalid, and the judge ovQ)r-giil,ed^.the;:obj,ec.tioß'.y;t : :i33ie.lcase is therefore proceeding. SUPREME COURT,' CHRISTCHURCH. , ’ • Christchurch, February 15. At the Supreme Court, in the. perjury case against Twentyman Wilson, the jury disagreed, , Archibald Wilson, for an indecent assault, was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, and a man was found not guilty of an indecent assault. George Fraser, on two charges of theft, was sentenced to three years on each, to be concurrent with the sentence passed on a previous similar

charge. Thomas Long was found not guilty of theft from the person. A MAORI LEASE. Wellington, February 16. In opening the case for the plaintiff in the Mahupuku land lease case yesterday, Mr C. P. Skerrett said the proceedings of the lessees were of the most extraordinary character. They were taken with the set and deliberate purpose of securing a lease at an undervaluation and with wilful disregard of the rights of an infant. The proceedings were rendered most extraordinary by one of the trustees in the minor estate taking an action in violation of an express provision of the statute. Counsel said he relied most emphatically on the allegations of fraud at the time the deed was registered. The District Land Registrar had no information of Mahupuku’s death. The lease was, therefore, void and prohibited by statute. The Court then adjourned till this morning. t