Supreme Court CRIMINAL SESSIONS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29499, 28 April 1961, Page 9

Supreme Court CRIMINAL SESSIONS

21 Persons For Trial Nineteen trials involving 21 accused persons are listed for hearing at the quarterly criminal sessions of the Supreme Court at Christchurch which will begin on Tuesday. The Sheriff of the Canterbury district (Mr J. L. -W. Gerken) has called juries for eight weeks. The criminal session is expected to occupy five or six weeks. The remainder of the sessions will be devoted to the hearing of civil jury actions. Mr Justice Macarthur will preside at the opening of the criminal session. On the same day. Mr Justice Richmond will open the sessions at Timaru. There are no criminal trials to be heard at Timaru. but two civil actions are set down for hearing. Seven persons will stand trial at Christchurch on charges of theft. Four face charges of unlawful assembly, and it is expected that they wilh be tried together. One person will be tried separately on a charge of false pretences and theft.

Other charges include arson, negligent driving causing death (3). negligent driving causing injury, driving under the influence of liquor or drugs thereby causing bodily injury, perjury, receiving. indecent assault, and assault.

Decree Nisi In Divorce

A decree nisi in divorce was granted by Mr Justice Macarthur in the Supreme Court yesterday to Alan Scott, proprietor of the Canterbury Hotel. Lyttelton, against Lilian Scott, proprieress of a clothes mending business, on the ground of adultery with Percy Ernest Scott, an insurance agent, named as co-respondent. Costs on the higher scale were awarded to the petitioner against the corespondent. Mr J. G. Leggat. with him Mr M. F. Hobbs, appeared for Alan Scott. Mr D. W. Russell appeared for Lilian Scott, and Mr B. J. Drake for Percy Ernest Scott. The hearing of the suit occupied six days.