SUPREME COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 134, 8 June 1910, Page 5

SUPREME COURT.

GREY-STREET EPISODE. The case in which. George Joiinstone, a young man of respectable appearance, was charged with assaulting Joseph Poball and Julius Nehring, at a house in Grey-street" on April 21st, causing the latter actual bodily harm, was continued at the Auckland Supreme Court yesterday afternoon. The defence alleged that the two men, •who were under the influence of drink, visited the. house at which accused was staying, and noisily demanded admission. They burst the front door and rushed at accused, who, in self-defence, manipulated a solderingiron to good purpose, striking Poball on •the right jaw and Nehring on the back of the head. Further evidence for the defence was heard this morning. In directing the jury, his Honor stated that the point for elucida-tion was ■whether accused, in a state of irritation, struck a blow with a dangerous weapon without justification, or whether he had repelled an assault .by means of a 'blow administered under justifiable circumstances. The jury, after a short retirement, returned a verdict of not guilty, and accused was discharged. A SERIES OF CHARGES. William John Valilley, an able-bodied young man of excellent address, pleaded not guilty to a series of counts, charging him: (1) That on March 31st, at Whatawhata, he broke and entered or attempted to break and enter the dwellinghouse of James Calder with intent to commit a crime; (2) that he was a rogue and a vagabond; (3) that.he was found toy night in or upon the house of Jamee Calder without lawful excuse; and (4) that he was found 'by night in James Calder's garden without lawful excuse. Mr. J. R. Reed defended.

The Calder residence was entered by someone through a window on the night of March 31st, but the visitor awakened an occupant of the house a and promptly decamped when an alarm was given. The intruder was not seen, but an account form, made out against prisoner by a Hamilton tradesman, was found on the doorstep. Hence he was connected with the crime. Prisoner, a single man, is a farmer in the Wbatawhata, district?, well known and of good reputation, and owns land a mile and a-half away from ■the Calder farm. (Proceeding.)