SUPREME COURT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2673, 16 June 1894, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

At Wellington, the spiritualistic trial, after lasting three days, «ani# to a conclusion on Wednesday evening. The jury were called in at 5.45 and said that they had not agreed on all the counts, but were agreed that the female was innocent, and she was discharged. As to the male prisoner, the Crown having decided not to have a second trial, His Honour discharged him, at the game time saying that* this was not as bad a case as some that had been heard of where elderly and weak women had been induced U> give up properties. He advised Hackett either to return to Australia or abstain from such practices. Manning, charged with fortune telling, was acquitted. At Invercargill, John McKechnie, charged with perjury, was acquitted. Michael Naylon was charged with rape on his stepdaughter, aged thirteen. The child when put in the box said that she did not remember anything. His Honor and counsel tried to get evidence from her unavailingly, and an adjournment was made for an hour. On resuming she was still as obstinate, and by direction of His Honor the jury found accused not guilty. Mr Justice Deuuistou remarked upon the necessity for relegating witnesses of tender years into the custody of those who were not relations, and where they would not be open to influences that it might not bo easy for thom to resist A second indictment, charging Naylon with carnally knowing the girl, was adjourned till Monday, to enable the Crown Prosecutor to communicate with the Attorney - General. —Farquahar McKeuzio, of Cromarty, Pro servation Inlet, was fined £25 for libelling one Sherlock, a hotolkoepor there, by writing a letter which ho got another man

to sign, alleging that Sherlock was in , illegal possession of a watch bolonging to the signator, who denied that he hud written or instigated tlm letter which was cent to the police.—Mr Justice Donniston made a mandamus by consent, ordering the Inyercargill Licensing Committee to hear and determine tho application qf P. A. Patchott for a licsuso for the Stag's Head Hotel