COURT NEWS

Grey River Argus, 22 July 1926, Page 5

COURT NEWS

Fingerprint Evidence. IS THERE A BLUNDER? AUCKLAND, July 21. An extraordinary position arose when Goo. Arthur I’ringle appeared before Air Justice Stringer for sentence this morning, on a charge of breaking and entering at Mercer. His Honour said there was no report about the matter, but it appeared to be a case for probation, as there was no record of any previous convictions. Mr Paterson (for the Crown) said ’there were a number of convictions against the accused, which had been traced through his finger prints. His Honour perused the list handed in by Air Paterson, and asked the accused if it was true that he had served a sentence of six months for forgery. i The prisoner: “No Sir. I have never been in gaol before; and this is the first time I have ever been before a Court. Those statements are not correct.” His Honour: “This case will have to be looked into. I want a report on the case, and I will adjourn it for a week. ’ ’ SOLICITOR AT FAULT. LAW SOCIETY TO BE INVOKED. AUCKLAND, July 21. “I am sorry to see that a member of the legal profession was concerned in this fraud,” said Mr Justice Stringer in the Supreme Court to-day, when referring to an agreement drawn up by •an Auckland solicitor, whereby Rangitahi Tauroa obtained over £5OO by means of false pretences. “The name of that solicitor gave the document the ’appearance of legality,” added His Honour.

Air Paterson (for the Crown): “It seems incredibly, Sir, that any solicitor would draw up such an agreement.” His Honour: “It should be investigated by the Law Society.” Air Paterson: “I will have it sent on, Sir.” The accused, who was a man who some time ago set out to show-- a Pakeha how clever he was, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. _ BOY MOTOR DRIVER. PENALTY FOR INJURY TO PEDESTRIAN. AUCKLAND, July 21. Arising out of an accident which occurred on the Great North Road on the night of Alay 14, when a woman was injured, Harold George Walker was fined £lO on a charge of negligent driving by Mr F. K. Hunt, S.AI., at the Police Court this morning. Evidence was given that the accused was driving a truck about 7.30 p.m.. when the woman was knocked down by the mudguard and injured. The accident was reported by the accused to the Newton Police ten minutes after it occurred. Walker, in a statement which was given to the police, said that ho saw two women standing in the middle of the road. He attempted 1o avoid them by going between the pedestrians and the footpath, but one woman stepped back and was knocked down. He said he was travelling at between 15 aim 20 miles per hour, and that he pulled in three yards. Counsel asked the Alagistrate to taKC into consideration that Walker had only recently turned 16, and that he had not long left school. He had a license to drive.

In addition to a fine of £lO, the defendant was also ordered to pay costs totalling £6 11s 2d, while the Afagistrate cancelled his license for a period of two years. INDIAN BRINGS OPIUM. WELLINGTON. July 21. Haran Gopal, Indian fruiterer, who landed at Wellington from the Afarama yesterday, pleaded guilty at the Magistrate’s Court to-day, with being in possession of prohibited goods. When his baggage was searched, the Customs officer found four and a half pounds of solid opium, valued at £250, in a pillow. A fine of £25 was imposed. Vasan Bhika, similarly charged, was remanded for a day.