EN THE COURTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 82, 3 April 1912, Page 8

EN THE COURTS.

(Per Vr a ss Assocsat;<">

Hamilton, April 1. A batch of orcharclists were before

the Court this morning and were hired ti eacn and costs. One of the defendants said that no Had cut down a lot of nis trees and could not see any odg.it remaining, but the inspector hati come along, and, with the aid oi •v microscope, nad shown him insects as big as clepnants. In fact, he was strata to go out at night on account of' tncm.

Wanganui, April 1. A case oi’ considerable importance to bookmakers was heard to-day before the local Magistrate. A few weeks ago a punter named Crano quarrelled with a local bookie named lilain, and informed the police that lilain was betting at tote odds. lilain was prosecuted and convicted on Crane’s evidence. Crane applied to the Magistrate for a certificate, of indemnity, out Air. ivliiekay, Plain's counsel, objected on the grounds that such certificate could not be granted in respect of betting informers. The .Magistrate agreed and infused to grant tlie certificate, lilain then laid an information against Crane for aiding and abetting in tote hotting. The information was heard to-d:u, Air. Maekay tendering as his solo evidence statements made by Crane in Court. Air. Cohen, who appeared for Crane, caused considerable amusement by an ironical eulogy of ijHaiu as a moral reformer. Ultimately Crane was convicted and fined Co and costs. The result will be an increased difficulty in obtaining evidence im such cases. The police state that they will apply to tiio Department for a grant to recoup Crane, who gave his evidence solely on the condition that he was indemnified. Palmerston, April 1.

At the Police Court to-day, Andrew Wischnov.'sby, an elderly man, pleaded not guilty to a charge of indecent assaulfc on a girl aged 7.V years. He reserved his deten.ee and was committed for trial, bail being allowed. Wellington, April 2.

Henry Fraser Marshall, a young man against whom there were twenty previous convictions, was to-day sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment on a charge of theft from a dwelling, and was declared an habitual criminal.