CRIMINAL SESSIONS

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21082, 6 February 1934, Page 15

CRIMINAL SESSIONS

DUNEDIN SITTING IPBESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) DUNEDIN, February 5. The criminal session of the Supreme Court commenced this morning before his Honour Mr Justice Kennedy. The calendar is a light one, with only four persons, charged with forgery, theft, obscene language, and indecent assault. Charged with forgery, James Charles McArthur was found not guilty. Horacio Acosta, a foreigner, was charged with committing an indecent assault, two girls being concerned. The case occupied all the afternoon, and was adjourned until the morning. , j WELLINGTON CASES [TRESS ASSOCIATION TELfiOEAM.) WELLINGTON, February 5. The criminal sessions opened to-day before his Honour Mr Justice Ostler. His Honour remarked on the fact that there were only 11 cases, which was a smaller number than usual. The grand jury returned a no bill in respect of a charge of assault against Lionel George McGill. Alternative charges under the Crimes Act and the Justices of the Peace Act of making a false declaration to the secretary of the Trades and Labour Council for the purpose of obtaining extra relief pay were brought against Albert James Birchfield. Birchfield was found not guilty on the first count and guilty on the second, with a recommendation to leniency. Mr Justice Ostler said that he could not understand the defence. It was no defence at all. It was an admission of the crime. On his own evidence the jury could do nothing but find accused guilty. His Honour suggested that the jury could' add a rider, which it did.