SUPREME COURT SESSIONS

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 749, 23 February 1910, Page 8

SUPREME COURT SESSIONS

PALMEESTON: CIVIL AND CRIMINAL !By Tclezraph.—Special Correspondent.) Palmerston, February 22. "At the Supremo Court - this morning there'was only one divorce, in which Charles Bateman.Smith, of Feilding, applied for a dissolution of- marriage with Mary Ann Smith, on the grounds of misconduct with W. Mullius. It was stated iir evidence that the parties were lharried in 190G in Tasmania. They arrived here .and settled in Taihape .in 1908, and, later on,, came to Peilding.. Respondent first met co-respondent in Taihape in November, . 1905,;. and . he came to Mding with petitioner. His Honour (Mr. Justice Chapman) granted a 'decree nisi:

A man named Ross, alias Matthews, who pleaded guilty to breaking and entering at Taihape, was sentenced to twelve months' hard labour.

The following discharges >in • bankruptcy were granted:—John Albert Hubner, Roland Spencer, 'William .Gordon Barratt, Thos. Bailey, and, Martin Joseph Johansen. The District Official' Assignee. was granted a release in the estate of Chas. H., Blackler. Other bankruptcy : matters were held over for consideration.

A special- sitting of. the Court is to be held on March 18 before Mr. Justice Sim.

' Judge Chapman l reserved his decision.in the - appeal'case of tlio Palmerston Borough Council against the-decision of. Mr. A. D. Thomson, S.M., on the, question of whether motor cycles should be allowed on the cycle, tracks of,the. borough.

NAPIEK CASES. , f (By TeleEraph.-Press 'Association.) .. Napier, February 22. At the Supreme Court Patrick M'Mahon, .chained with theft from, the person at Hastings, was found hot guilty and discharged. In consequence 1 of ' this verdict no evidence was offered against"; two other men charged with receiving, and they were found not guilty and discharged. ".;\ '. r "". ;,r'. ; : ' Hiram Ashcroft and Arthut Hanlen pleaded guilty. to ; charges of . obtaining money by means' .of forged telegrams in connection with betting l transactions and sentence was' deferred. ■ ■ John Henry. charged with forgery and selling goods under security at Hastings, was reported to have absconded.. \ , v Louis Morgan, who was found guilty of indecent assault, with a strong: recommendation to mercy, was remanded for sentence.' • '" . AUCKLAND CASES. Auckland, February 22. ■ Before Sir. Justice' Edwards and a jury to-day, a middle-aged woman named Martha Jane -Maxwell' (who on the' previous day had been tried on a charge of having used: an instrument with an illegal object in view, and in whose-case . the - jury failed, to, agree. upon a verdict) was presented for re-trial. A- verdict of not guilty -was returned, and accused was discharged.'. A girl,.named -Katie Llewell was; charged:-, with ~having,; fraudulently, stated; to' the chief . postmaster that; she had posted a packet containing money, !whereasishe had hot done sol His Honour instructed 'the jury that''there was :not sufficient evidence against accused, and they formally;brought ;in an acquittal, . ; COLLEGE, COMPENSATION CASE, " Christchurch, February 22. In a case, brought by the .Canterbury College for compensation for lands taken on the Midland railway, the judge held that the college authorities ivero entitled to compensation, but that 'the amount should be,fixed by the .Compensation • Courti 'W.'IV Davige was given judgment against T. M'Queen : for .£l6O commission on ithe .sale of farms in the Waikato. In the" case of Napper 'vv'O'Grady— an" appeal from the decision of the Ashburton magistrate fining :appellant for driving a motor-car 'at an excessive speed—the appeal .was allowed, following a recent decision of Mr. Justice Williams.)' ■ •