SUPREME COURT.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 64, 14 September 1908, Page 5

SUPREME COURT.

PALMERSTON N., Saturday.. At the Supreme Court on Saturday, C. E. Harden, solicitor, . " was charged before Mr Justice Chapman; with fraudulently failing to account for or pay trust monies to the amount of £250, thereby committing theft. Mr Loughnan, Crown Prosecutor," appeared for the Crown, and Mr _Wilford appeared for the accused. The evidence for the prosecution was the same as given in the lower court.

For the defence Drs O'Brien, Wilson, and Martin gave 'evidence that accused had been suffering from the effects of excessive alcohol for months prior to his arrest, and was incapable of conducting his business intellir gently. v

The- jury were absent for two hours, finally returning a" verdict of not guilty.

A peculiar incident was that the proceedings were delayed for half? an hour owing to the failure of. the gas, the crowded court being plunged in darkness.