IN THE COURTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 74, 23 March 1912, Page 5

IN THE COURTS.

(Ter Press Association.) Masterton,,March 22. ' In the Supreme Court to-day, a case was heard in which Sarah Emma Armstrong. widow, of Carterton, claimed from Charles Bowles, farmer, of Waihakeke, £5Ol damages for alleged slander. It was alleged that defendant accused plaintiff, who .was h : s housekeeper for some months, of stealing .money from himself and sons. The jury awarded plaintiff £IOO damages. Judge Edwards did not, however, enter up judgment, but reserved further consideration of the question of privilege for argument in Wellington. Wellington, March 22. An important point was raised in the Magistrate’s Court to-day in a case where a young man who registered as a Territorial was charged with failig to render personal service as in that he'absented himself from the recent camp of instruction. Counsel contended that the offence was one against the Defence officers, who could impose a fine which could only lie • collected by eivil process. Another point whs that the Act provided for a certain number of parades, etc., which must be attended per year. Therefore, until the yeai M elapsed, it was- impossible to tell whether or not an offence had been committed, a year not /having elapsed in this case. Judgment was reserved.