SUPREME COURT

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 261, 31 July 1929, Page 12

SUPREME COURT

QUARTERLY CRIMINAL SESSIONS A LIGHT CALENDAR The quarterly criminal sessions of the Supreme Court opened yesterday before Mr. Justice MacGregor. The following grand jury was empanelled: Archibald Sando (foreman) Bertram Nye Staff, Frank Watson Whitwell. Sidney Bernard Shortt, Arthur VV arrington Thompson, Ernest Richard Toop, George Arm rong Blackie, William Henry Bowman, William Wyman Chambers, Robert Barlow, Henry Alfred Hill, Claude Hamilton Hudson, Vivian Palmer Haughton, Robert William Gunn, Berkeley William Clarke, Alfred Coken Douglas Charles Lawson, Charles William Maek, Alexander Dickson, Guy Mcßae Matthews, John Edward Ramsay, Neil Dunlop McLean. t Addressing the grand jury, His Honour stated that he was glad to be able to tell them that their duties for the morning would be light, as there> were only three indictments presented. In His Honour’s opinion the Wellington Supreme Court district was to be congratulated on its comparative freedom from serious crime. It was true that during the last few weeks, a large number of criminals had pleaded guilty to various offences, but, none the less, it was satisfactory that in this populous district there were so few criminal trials which involved public time and money. The grand jury returned true bills in the following cases:— Charles Augustin Comerford (alleged theft, six charges, and alleged forgery). Theodore Melville Jennens (alleged conversion of money received by him as a land re turned in the case of Eric Matthews (alleged manslaughter). THEFT AND FORGERY ADMITTED. Charles Augustin Comerford, who was charged with theft (six charges) and forgery, and against whom the grand jury returned a true bill, pleaded guilty when charged before the Court. He was remanded until this morning for sentence. AUCKLAND SESSIONS OPEN UNUSUAL FEATURES • ’ By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland. July 30. Addressing the Grand Jury at the Supreme Court criminal sessions to-day, bir Alexander Herdman said that never m his experience had he encountered a charge such as that levelled against a Waerenga farmer, Peter Alexander Elmsley of having failed to provide his wife with the necessities of life. It appeared from the evidence in the Lower Court that he and his two daughters had consistently ill-treated Mrs. Elmsley for six or seven years. Indeed, the evidence suggested that she was compelled to live the life of a dog. His Honour said that he would not soil his lips by repeating the words that were used to her. The Crown must show that accused had charge _ of the woman, that she was unable to withdraw from him owing to seclusion, or the fact that she was cowed, and then that he had failed in his duty toward her and caused her permanent injury by failing to provide her with the necessities of life. There was abundant evidence to warrant the grand jury returning a true bill. Sir Alexander expressed regret that 10 out of 22 charges were of indecent behaviour toward girls; in nearly every case the girl was of tender years. “How it comes about that this district produces so many crimes of this character it is difficult to understand,” he said. “Whether it is that young girls and young men here are more precocious than in other parts of New Zealand it is difficult for me to say, I do not profess to solve the problem.” The grand jury returned no bills in the cases of Edward James Euesden, charged with theft of jewellery at Remuera, and George Philip Fleteher. charged with negligent driving at Patumahoe. thereby causing the death of a cyclist. James Kirby, a commercial traveller, was tried on a charge of negligently driving a motor-car near Kaitaia on June 5 and causing the death of a child aged two years. There was no allegation that he was driving too fast. The Crown Prosecutor referred to a statement by accused that he had been blinded by the sun. and said that it remained for the jury to judge the case almost entirely on that aspect. The accident happened near a corner, and the child killed was in a car coming from the opposite direction, which was forced over a bank owing to accused suddenly swerving. A verdict of not guilty was returned. TIMARU SITTING By Telegraph.—Press Association. ' Timaru, July 30. At the Supreme Court to-day Bernard Lewis Blackwell was sentenced by Mr. Justice' Adams to four months’ imprisonment for a breach of his probation - . Lomond Kennedy wns sentenced to six months for concealment of birth, and Junita Winifred Wilce. on a similar charge, was detained till the day’s sitting had concluded. The Judge remarked that in view of Kennedy’s treatment of the girl and the fact that she had been in custody for the past fortnight he did not propose to send her to prison. / In the case against Martin Joseph Melville, of Temuka, who was charged with supplying an instrument for an unlawful purpose, the jury failed to agree and a retrial was ordered next session. DUNEDIN By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, July 30. The quarterly session of the Supreme Court opened to-day before Mr. Justice Kennedy. There were four cases on the list for trial. A charge against Francis Joseph Gauntley of carnally knowing a girl under the age of 16 years was adjourned till next session, the girl in question being at present unable to appear in court. Frederick Arthur Lloyd pleaded not guilty to stealing a sum of £438 3s. Bd., the property of the Maniototo County Council and fraudulently converting the money to his own use. He was also charged with disobeying an Act of Parliament by omitting to pay into the bank within seven days moneys he had received on behalf of the council. The case for the prosecution was heard, and Mr. Simpson, counsel for accused, said he would not call witnesses. The Court then adjourned till to-morrow.