SUPREME COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 122, 1 September 1910, Page 5

SUPREME COURT.

A JUDGE'S PROTEST. \ SEXUAL CASES IX AUCKLAND. By Telegraph.— Pives Association. Auckland, Last Night. The criminal session of the Supreme Court was continued to-day before the Chief Justice. Alexander McMasters was charged with having assaulted a married woman on Constitution Hill, almost in the heart of the city. The court was cleared during the hearing of the case and the publication of evidence forbidden. The trial lasted most of the day, the jury returning with a verdict of not guilty. "All I can say," his Honour said," in view of the verdict, is that serious consideration must foe given to the question whether it is of any use trying sexual cases at ail in Auckland."

Thomas A. Baxter, indicted upon eight charges of embezzlement, was found guilty on five of the charges and remanded for sentence until Saturday. DAMAGES AWARDED. Wellington, Last Night. In the Supreme Court to-day Mrs. Elizabeth Anne Ross Carti, of Muritai, claimed £250 from the Wellington Harbor Ferries, Ltd., for injuries received in a recent collision between the ferry steamers Duchess a-nd Cobar. She was a passenger on the Duchess at the time and said her arm was badly injured. His Honor, Mr. Justiee Chapman, estimated Mrs. Carte's suffering at £2O with costs.

A BRUTAL ASSAILANT. Invercargill, Last Night. At the Supreme Court to-day, Albert Edward McQueen was found guilty on three counts arising out of .brutal assault on a single , woman 'in the Park, Invercargill, on 2nd June, and was sentenced feo seven years' hard labour. The Court was occupied the whole day in hearing a claim by Geo. Marshall for £5Ol damages from J. H. Sarginaon for the seduction of plaintiff's daughter, Both parties live at Lintlev, near Lumsden. and the seduction was admitted, but defendant held that there was no promise to marry, and that as plaintiff■ was on, bad terms with his daughter he has suffered no damage. The jury awarded £2OO.