SUPREME COURT' SITTINGS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 311, 25 September 1908, Page 7

SUPREME COURT' SITTINGS.

■ . -4 (DI TEI.EG UArjl-r-rBESS ASSOCIATION.) Napier, September 24. A young man-named Ernest George Mason was found guilty yesterday of committing a serious criminal 'offence at Woodvillo, and was sentenced to fourteen years' imprisonment. ' In passing sentence, Mr. Justice Chapman said: "You have been convicted of one of the most abominable offences described in our -moral law, and the circumstances in which tho, offence was committed were moro horrible than anything I have ever heard of."

Sitting in Divorce, Mr. Justice Chapman granted decrees-nisi in the cases Hundleby v. Hundleby (husband's petition), on the ground of desertion, and. Abbott v. Abbott and Miskell (husband's petition), on tho ground of adultery. In tho latter suit costs were granted against the co-respondent on tho lower scale.

In tho case of Wm James Vickers charged with unlawful conversion of mouoys at Wairoa, tlie jury, by direction of Mr. Justice Chapman) returned a verdict of not guilty, and accused was discharged. Joseph Moran, alias Reynolds, was found guilty of .theft of money in a hotel in Napier; and sentence was deferred.

" Hokitilta, September 24. ■ In the Supreme Court the Westport perjury case was continued to-day; 'J'iio case for tho prosecution was closed, and the defence was proceeded with. In reply to the foreman of tho jury, Mr. Justice Coopoi said ho did not think tho case would be finishod before Tuesday or Wednesday.