SUPREME COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 August 1917, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

THE KHUKIRI TRAGEDY VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY. ■ By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Aug. 17. Two boys, Claudo Gibbons, aged seven years and fo.ir 'lays, and Riehan} Rehana, aged eight years am? nine monthc, came up /or (rial on a charge of manslaughter at the Supreme Court before the Chief Justice in connection with the death of a girl aged six, who was found drowned in a creek at lCirikiri, near Thames, on June 19. The schoolmaster, J. W. Renwick, said that in his opinion tho two boys would know that they were doing wrong in undressing the girl and pushing her in the water. He didn't think, however, iliev realised that their action might result in an injury to the girl. This portion of the creek was nsei by a number of Mormons for baptismal purposes, and Rehana, who was himself a Mormon, would therefore be leas likely to tliink that it was wrong. The defending counsel iffil not call any evidence, contending that the whole evidence painted to complete unconsciousness of wrongdoing.

His Honour, summing up, explained the law bearing upon the case. After a short retirement the jury found a verdict of not guilty, and accused were discharged.

WELLINGTON SESSIONS, Wellington, Aug. IS. In tho Supreme Court, John Robert Nieoll, aged 57, pleaded guilty to a charge (of indecent assaults on little' children, and was sentenced to Ave years' miprisonmenWli each charge, the sentences to bo concurrent.