AUCKLAND CRIMINAL SESSIONS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14903, 17 February 1914, Page 3

AUCKLAND CRIMINAL SESSIONS.

MR JUSTICE COOPER'S CHARGE

REFERENCE TO THE STRIKE

PERIOD

(PR ESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.)

AUCKLAND, February 16

Mr Justieo Cooper, in his charge to the grand jury, at the opening of tho Supremo Court criminal sittings, referred to the comparatively peaceful conditions that prevailed in Auckland during the industrial upheaval, and to the- wisdom of the Magistrates in closing the city and suburban hotels. The cases before the Court included only one arising at that regrettable period. He believed this was largely due to the action of the Magistrates, as well as to the restraint exorcised by the leaders of both sides involved in the struggle. The fact that liquor was kept out of the trouble was a powerful factor in keeping quietness. and preventing breaches of the law. His Honour remarked that the number of cases before the Court was 20, which, considering the extent of the northern judicial district. the rapid increase of population, and tho growth of the city of Auckland, eonlpared quite favourably with other centres in New Zealand in respect tq_ serious crime. In the case in which Minnie Frewin, a young woman was charged with setting Are to a billiard room at Huntly, Mr Justice Cooper said it had been renresented that sho was driven from home by tho ill-treatment of her husband, betrayed by another, man, and again led 'astray by the owner of the billiard-room. Ho did not . want to send tho woman to gaol, and therefore placed her in tlie hands of the Salvation Army. Bertie vSewell Hunter was found not guilty on a charge of stealing £G from a laundry. Arthur Albert Baker, who had pleaded guilty in the lower Court to making a false declaration under the Marriage Acf, said the mother refused her consent to her daughter's marriage, and as the girl wa.s tuniod out of her home, he secured tho license by returning her age at 22. His Honour remarked that it was the wrong way to overcome the consent of a parent, but admitted that the circumstances justified the imposition of a fine and not i*iinn"«onment. A fine of £'_ was inflicted.