SUPREME COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 52, 23 August 1911, Page 5

SUPREME COURT.

WELLINGTON SESSIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The '.Supreme Court criminal sittings were continued this morning before Mr. ■Justice Sim. Alfred Britis, the negro charged with sly grog selling, was found not guilty. Edward Reynolds surrendered to his bail to stand his trial on charges of unlawfully using an instrument on a girl to procure a miscarriage, and with procuring Annie Peterson to commit such an offence, thereby becoming a party to such offence and guilty thereof. The prisoner was tried with Annie Peterson last session, and was acquitted by direction of the judge, but the Full Court ordered a new trial on the ground that the judge's direction was erroneous at law. The case was heard in camera. Evidence was given by the girl that Reynolds procured an instrument, and told her how to use it, which she did without effect. He then took her to Peterson's house, where an operation was performed. In cross-examination the girl wept bitterly, but did not vary her story in the slightest degree. After a retirement of an hour and a quarter the jury returned a verdict of guilty. The prisoner made no sign of surprise or otherwise, except that his lips shut tightly and his face went deathly white. He was remnnded till to-morrow for I sentence. William Allman Denning was charged with indecently assaulting a child aged live years. The court was cleared, the details being revolting. The jury, after a few minutes' retirement, returned a verdict of guilty. It was stated that the prisoner was a married man with a wife and four children in Australia, whence he himself came some five years ago. He had a clean record, so far as the police knew, and it was suggested that a protracted drinking bout was the cause of his offence. The prisoner was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, with hard labor. DUN EDI X SESSIONS. Dunedin, Last Night. At the Supreme Court to-day William John Townley, cattle dealer, of Otago Peninsula, claimed £5Ol damages from James Joseph Lyhon, also of the Peninsula, on a charge of slander. The words complained of were, "You have been stealing cattle for the last fifty yearn." Plaintiff was awarded £25, with costs on the lowest scale. Decrees nisi were granted in the following divorce cases, .Marion Morland v. John Morland. desertion; John Reynoldi v. Alice Reynolds, desertion. PALMERSTON NORTH SESSIONS. Palmerston N., Last Night. In the Supreme Court to-day, before ■ Sir Rofoert Stout, Chief .Justice, Frank P. Bruford, an ex-Ohiro Home inmate, was found guilty of obtaining £lr2 from William Dwyer, of Hunterville, by inti- ■ mating that he had £2OOO in Dunedin. He was remanded till Thursday for sentence. Rene Ainini, with eleven previous convictions, was found guilty of the theft of £2B from the person of Akoijga Mohi, and was sentenced to two years' hard labor, and was declared a haibitual criminal. John Robert McGregor and Alexander Stanley Dickson were found guilty of assault and robbery of Nisson, and were remanded for sentence and probation report. AUCKLAND DIVORCES. Auckland, Yesterday. In the Divorce Court to-day, John Henry Rayner was granted a divorce from Katherine Rayner, Percy Wakefield, with whom she went to Sydney, being joined as the co-respondent. A decree was also granted to John Fitzell against Jane Elizabeth Fitzell, Arthur Yates, in whose name two of the respondent's children were registered, being joined as co-respondent. A PECULIAR CASE. Auckland, Yesterday. Before a Judge in chambers in the Supreme Court, a young woman, aged 20, petitioned under the Marriage Act of 1905 for an order declaring the marriage she desired to enter into with a man of 21 was a proper one. Her mother, a widow, refused her consent, though it was shown that the man had a good character and was earning sufficient to keep a wife. The oniy reason she adduced was that the man had no home to take his prospective wife to. Mr. Justice Edwards made j the order as requested. This is the first time such an application has been made in Auckland. PALMERSTON COURT BUSINESS. Palmerston North, August 22. At the Supreme Court this morning Sir Robert Stout remarked, apropos of the heavy court list, that the court would have to sit early and late in order to get through. It was quite evident that Palmerston North was becoming so important that an extension of time would have to be granted for the Supreme Court sittings.