SUPREME COURT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20631, 12 August 1941, Page 4

SUPREME COURT

QUARTERLY SESSION SHORT CALENDAR The quarterly session of the Supreme Court in Gisborne opened this morning. Mr. Justice Norlhcrofl presiding, and the calendar being unusually short. One case for trial, and one case committed for sentence comprised the criminal business-, and the major feature of the calendar was a civil claim involving £4OOO allegedly due to an estate. An appeal from the decision of the magistrate in the lower court, one petition for divorce, and a small number of miscellaneous cases completed the list.

In his charge to the grand jury, His Honour pointed out that the one case for trial concerned an allegation of breaking, entering and theft, against a man named Brennan. The Crown alleged that some £2OO or £3OO worth of tobacco slocks had been stolen over a period from the premises of Messrs. Williams and Kettle, Limited. An entry had been made on the night of June 17, and it was discovered that the intruder had suffered a fall through a manhole which had been left open, blood being' left on the premises. Brennan was later admitted to hospital, suffering from injuries consistent with such a fall. His explanation of his injuries was that he had suffered a fall at his home, but the police alleged that his story was improbable. Moreover, evidence would be given to the effect that Brennan, while in hospital was overhead endeavouring to to concoct a defence in company with two other people. It was for the grand jury to decide whether the case should go to hearing. Jurors Sworn The following grand jurors were sworn in: F. R. Ball, foreman, J. T. Johnston, L. C. Morris, H. F. Wise, W. J. Caseley, S. Clare, H, S. P. McLernon, R. A. Phillpotts, William S. Allen, E. F. O'Brien, F. Parnell, I. H. O’Meara, M. J. White, W. D. Morley, J. W. Parker, W. E. Krebs, R. Andrew, P. Pittar, J. Johnson, J. H. Sunderland and Walter S. Allen. The grand jury returned a true bill after a short retirement, on the indictment against Harry Lewis Brennan, charged with breaking and entering with intent to commit theft. Brennan, for whom Mr. L. T. Barnard appeared, pleaded not guilty.' Dealing with miscellaneous business this morning, Mr. Justice Northcroft granted a discharge from bankruptcy to Peter Sim (Mr. D. W. lies).