SUPREME COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 287, 28 November 1908, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

DUNEDIN SESSIONS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, Friday. At the Supreme Court Benjamin Barker was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for an indecent assault on a girl of nine years. Dunedin, Last Night. At the Supreme Court to-day William Walqusle was sentenced to two yenrs' for robbery from the person. Alexander Walquste, also charged with him, was acquitted. John Webster, charged with attempting to murder his wife, Maria Webster; with attempting to do her serious bodily harm; with attempting to discharge a revolver at her and with assaulting her, was found guilty on the minor counts, sentence being deferred. AUCKLAND SESSIONS. Auckland, Last Night. At the Supreme Court to-day, a mid-dle-aged man named George Arthur Wilson was tried on three charges ot having at various places hi the city indecently assaulted two young boys. Evidence was given by the boys on whom the offences were alleged to have, been committed. His Honor, in summing up, said the evidence was conflicting. There was a strong suspicion or guilt, but more than that was rcqiu* ■ to warrant a conviction. The jury, after deliberating for over half an hour, returned a verdict of "not guilt/, and accused was discharged.

CHRISTCHUKCH SESSIONS. Chrisleburch, Last Night. At the Supreme Court to-day divorce decrees were granted as follows:—Emily Brook v. Ezra Brook, desertion; Amy Turner v. Thomas Turner, desertion Eban Adams v. Jane Adams, drunkenness, AVELLINGTON SESSIONS. Wellington, Last Night. Another of tlie series of alleged cattlestealing cases at Masterton was before the Supreme Court to-day. Clifford G. Jackson, a youth of 17, was the accused. Evidence was given by Gilbert Langdon, already sentenced for stealing cattle at Masterton, that the accused bud volunteered to go with him and had assisted in. taking cattle from various places. Other evidence stated that the accused had offered four beasts for sale on behalf of a man called Langley or Lang-1 dtai). The accused stated that he had his father's permission to go. with Langdon, who had said nothing to him about stealing the cattle. He had on two occasions helped the convicted witness to drive cattle. Subsequently Langdon informed him the cattle were stolen. The jury found that the accusiekli Was not guilty of theft, but was aware the cattle he had helped to drive into Masterton on October 24 were stol'en, and subsequently received and offered four beasts for sale. He had, hoivever, only done so under the influence of a statement made by Langdon that he had helped to steal the cattle and would have to get rid of them. His Honor discharged the prisoner.