STOP PRESS NEWS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20491, 6 May 1938, Page 6

STOP PRESS NEWS

- judge" directs JURY The unusual circumstances of a Judge directing a jury to find a prisoner not guilty on two counts and guilty on the remaining two of his indictments arose in the Supreme Court, Hamilton, when Henry Leonard Cl.ght, labourer, of Te Aroha, v/as charged with forging the endorsement to a cheque. There were four counts: That accused at Frankton, on February 3, forged the endorsement to a cheque signed by A. McDonald; that he uttered it by causing it to be cashed; that by falsely representing that he was the payee, he obtained £lO 16s 2d and that he failed to account to A. McDonald for the proceeds. No evidence was taken before lunch. On resumption Mr J. R. FitzGerald said he would not call evidence on the first two counts, and Mr J. F. Strang said accused wished to change his plea to one of guilty on the false pretences and theft counts. “ I direct you gentlemen,” said Sir Michael Myers, “to find accused not guilty on the first and second counts and guilty on the third and fourth.” Such a verdict was returned by the jury without leaving the box. Accused was remanded till Tuesday for sentence. » ANGLO-EIRE AGREEMENT BILL PASSES SECOND READING LONDON, May G The Anglo-Eire Agreement Dill passed its second reading without division. TO BE COMPLETED TANEATUA-OPOTIKI LINE WELLINGTON, Friday The Government is expected to announce its decision shortly to proceed with the construction of the railway line from Taneatua to Opotiki, thereby linking up the latter town with Auckland. The Right Hon. M. J. Savage said to-day it was one of the promises made by the Government at the election and it would be carried out. It probably would bo necessary to have a re-survey on the route made before the work started.