SUPREME COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81893, 23 November 1906, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. Dunedin, Foyember 22. At the Supreme Court to-day, Alfred Octave Uudaillo, carrying on business as a chemist, was charged with stealing a quantity of tobacco and cigarettes, and on a second count with recetying knowing the same to have been .stolen. After hearing the eyidence for the prosecution, Justice Cooper said he lid not think there was eyidence to go , to a jury on the first count, and the Crown Prosecutor agreed. Mr S. Solomon, for the defence, said accused and his friends were anxious to have che matter fully enquired into. The •ugarettes were sold to accused by a aian who said he had been recommended to go to him by a friend of Oudville's named George Moon, The uian said he had been in business in Chnstchurch, and disposed of it. He came to Dunedin, thinking to open acre, but as there was no opening he «vas trying to get rid of his stock. After further conversation, Oudaille bought the cigarettes and got a receipt signed W. G. West. Later on, he uoutrht more, and got a receipt, having made a profit on the first lot. The man then offered two boxes of tobacco, but Oudaille said ho did not deal in tobacco. Subsequently he agreed to -iy to sell the tobacco for a 5 per cent, commission. Inquiries made went to sliow that the real name of the man tvho signed himself West, was Sharp. This man had bßen employed in the uliice of the i'iourinillers' Association, aud admitted to the manager that he nad sold cigarettes to Oudaille, giving a false name. Sharp could not now be found. Accused gave evidence in support of counsel's statement. After a retirement of 40 minutes, the jury returned with a verdict of not guilty, and Oudaille was discharged. Wellington, November 21. At the Supreme Court this morning, Walter Durkin and Arthur Thomas were found guilty on separate charges of theft, and sentence was deferred. William alias Simmons, vVilliam Kay and John Davey, was . iound guilty of theft, and remanded for sentence. The Chief Justice said . iparrow was an habitual criminal. . During the past twenty-seven years, he . nad been sentenced to twenty-live years- imprisonment.