THE COURTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 265, 16 December 1909, Page 2

THE COURTS.

FORTUNE-TELLING. By Telegraph. —i'resn Association. Auckland, Wednesday. In dismissing an appeal from tile decision of Mr. Cutten, the Magistrate, in the case against Madame Wine, on a charge of fortune-telling, which was dismissed on the ground that the police, who induced the defendant to tell a for-1 tune, were accomplices, Mr.', Justice lidwards said the appeal should not have been 'brought. As long ago as 1848 it was laid down that when an accomplice was a spy in the interests of jus •ice corroboration was not required. His Honor "held that the Maaistratc knew this, and that if he did not believe the police constables hu Honor wu'd not compel hiin to, anl there the matter ended. The taking if inouoy was not an ingredient in the trim;-.

A LIGHT SENTENCE. Wellington, Wednesday. David Bates, who a fortnight ago, after a drinking bout, assaulted two women, inflicting injuries on one of them with a table knife, was to-day sentenced to four months' and two months' imprisonment respectively on two charges, the sentences to'be concurrent. One r.f the women, who was cut by the knife in various parts of the body, and kicked and thumped till unconscious, was aJle to give evidence to-day.