SUPREME COURT

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 July 1929, Page 5

SUPREME COURT

AUCKLAND CRIMINAL CHARGES MOTORIST ACQUITTED CPer Press Association.) AUCKLAND, July 30. The Grand Jury returned no bill in the cases of Edward James Eusden, charged with theft of jewellery at Remuera; and George Philip Fletcher, 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 Kait’aio, 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 referring to a statement by accused that he had been blinded by the sun, said 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 the bank owing to accused suddenly swerving. A verdict of not guilty was returned.

TIMARU DECISIONS. TIS'IARU, 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 probation. Laraond Kennedy was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for concealment of birth. Junita Winifred Wilce, on a similar charge, was detained till the day’s sitting concluded. The Judge remarked that, in view of Ken-: nedy’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 for next session. COUNTY COUNCIL FUNDS. DUNEDIN, July 30. Frederick Arthur Lloyd pleaded not guilty in the Supreme Court to stealing a sum of £438 3/8, 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. Mr Simpson, counsel for accused, said he would not call witnesses. The Court adjourned till to-morrow. ' DUNEDIN, July 31. At the Supreme Court, Frederic Arthur. Lloyd was found guilty of omitting to account for £419, and also failing to pay into the bank within seven days amounts of over £lO and totalling £419. He was remanded for sentence. THEFT AT HOSPITAL. WELLINGTON, July 31. In the Supreme Court, Charles Augustus Comerford, ■who pleaded guilty to six charges of theft and forgery while employed as radiographer at the Wellington Hospital, was to-day sentenced to eighteen months’ imprisonment on each count, concurrent. His Honor said it was clear accused was in a position of trust, and was in. the habit of helping himself. NO NEGLIGENCE PALMERSTON N., July 31. The Supreme Court action in which Ellen Jane Wheeler, Palmerston North, claimed' £l5OO damages by way of compensation from T. F. Conway, orchardist, Fitzherbert, for the death of her daughter through being struck by defendant’s car on June 12, concluded to-day, before Justice Smith. It w r as alleged that Conway drove negligently. The question of contributory negligence by the deceased was raised. The jury after a short retirement found neither party negligent, the judgment being that it was an inevitable accident.