LAW REPORTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2618, 13 November 1915, Page 13

LAW REPORTS

SUPREME COURT

CRIMINAL SESSIONS

ANOTHER ACCUSED ACQUITTED. The oriminal sessions of the Supreme Court were continued before His Honour Mr. Justice Chapman yesterday morning. Mr. V. R. Meredith, of the Grown Law Office, represented the Crown. In connection with a charge pending against Andrew Julius Finlay, who liaa answered to his bail, Mr. T. M. TVilford applied.for the bail to be renewed until his client should appear for trial next week. His Honour granted the application on condition that Finlay should remain in a private hospital, of which he has been an inmate, until called on by the police to appear in Court. Frederick Browne was then charged •with-obtaining £30 from Arthur John Hoare, a printer, by means of false pretences. He pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr. P. W. Jaokson.

. The evidence for the prosecution showed that, in Apiil, 1914, Browne purchased a confectionery business at 74 Manners Street, from one Alfred Atkinson, by an agent named F. Fanning. The price of purchase was £132, a, sum of £70 to be_ paid in' cash and the remainder by instalments, Atkinson to have a bill of sale over the goods and fittings. Browne paid the £70, and also some of the instalments, but six weeks later (before the debt was oleared) he was cotnpelled to leave the premises, as the agent, Fanning, was about to move into them._ _ Browne transferred the business to Vivian Street, and afterwards disposed of it to Hoare for £30, the saleincluding stock and fittings. On discovering this, Atkinson effected a compromise with Hoare, and the latter, who had purchased the business on tlio understanding that it was free'of liability, then lodged a complaint in regard to Browne.. Detective Cameron arrested Browne on September 7, and, on tho charge being read to him, Browno said that a swindle had been worked on him.

The defence was that Browne had no fraudulent intention when he disposed of-the business to Hoare, that ho was unaware that Atkinson had any remedy against Hoare, and that he was waiting for Atkinson to proceed against him (Browne) in order that ho might expose what he belioved to be a swindle. After a brief retirement the jury returned a verdict of not guilty, and the prisoner was discharged , SERIOUS CHARGE. John William Scatcliard, 18 years of age, pleaded not guilty to a' charge of indecently assaulting a girl eight years, of age, and to a further charge of indecent behaviour to two other girls. Mr. P. W. Jackson appeared for the defence. The Court was cleared during tho hearing of the case, and an order was made prohibiting the publication of evidence. ■ The jury retired at (5.30 p.m., and returned at 8.10 p.m. with a verdiot of not guilty. The prisoner was discharged, CIVIL BUSINESS. His Honour the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) yesterday heard argument on plaintiff's summons for a special jury in the civil action, Richardson, M'Cabe and Co. v. tho City Council. Tlio summons was then adjourned sino die, pending the decision of the Court of Appeal on another phase of the case. His Honour Mr. Justice Edwards heard a summons by defendants for a special jury in tho case of Koir and another v. Aitken and another. Decision was reserved.