DOMINION DOINGS

Evening Star, Issue 14495, 21 February 1911, Page 4

DOMINION DOINGS

[Per United Press Association.] BLENHEIM, February 21. The Supreme Court sittings opened this morning before Mr Justice Chapman. His Honor congratulated the district on tho absence of crime. absence of crime in tho district, Harry Collins, for sheep-stealing, was ordered to come up for sentence when called upon and to pay £5 towards the costs of the prosecution. Probation wa.s not allowed, owing to a conviction thirty-three years ago. NAPIER, February 21. Addressing tho Grand Jury at the opening of the Supreme Court to-day, the Chief Justice regretted that he could not congratulate (he district on the smallness of the calendar, which comprised charges against thirteen persons, though none of the cases were of a. serious nature. Decrees nisi were granted hi the following oases;—Nelli© Burnett O’Reilly v. Edward O'Reilly, desertion ; Robert Loosmoro Williams v. Emma Mona Williams and Redmond Evenid (co-respondent), misconduct ; Minnie Brock v. Henry Brock, desertion. CHRISTCHURCH, February 21. In tho divorce caso of Nolman v. Xotman and Brown evidence was taken this morning on the Question of the husband’s connivance at his wife’s misconduct, that point being raised by tho wife in defending tho action. Mr Hall, a commercial traveller, said tho petitioner had offered him £2OO or £SCO for incriminating evidence against his wife. Counsel for the petitioner contended that this evidence did not disclose actual connivance, either under the English or New Zealand law. Tho Judge said there was nothing in the evidence inconsistent with petitioner's belief in Ins wife’s misconduct and anxiety to obtain evidence. He remembered no other case in which there had been such definite intercourse between jielitioner and co-respondent, both before and after the actual misconduct. The case in that respect was unique, and was important in view of tho difference in New Zealand law and English Jaw. Ho would take time to consider his decision.