SUPREME COURT

Grey River Argus, 4 May 1937, Page 5

SUPREME COURT

DUNEDIN CASES

Heavy List

(Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, May 3. “I am sorry to tell you the list of charges disclosed by the criminal calendar is long for this district, said Judge Kennedy, in opening the quarterly sessions. “The charges include manslaughter, negligent driving of a mtotor, thereby causing dea.th, being in charge of a motor when in a state of intoxication, and by act of omission causing bodily harm; indecent assault on a girl under 16, attempted indecent assault on a male, abortion and disposing of the dead' body of a child with intent, to conceal delivery, and theft. The manslaghter charge arises out’ of an occurrence when the Opoho tram left the rails and killed a pedestrian. The charge of negligent driving of a .motor, causing death arose out of an occurrence in a city street when an old lady was killed.

VARSITY STUDENT’S THEFT.

DUNEDIN, May 3.

“You have already received' far heavier punishment than any this. Court might be disposed to inflict,” said Judge Kennedy, in the Supreme Court, directing the discharge of a man accused of theft of a microscope, beloning io the Otago University, three years ago. The theft was committed while ac. cu ed, now practising as a dentist in the North Island, was a .student, and the Crown Prosecutor agreed with the defending counsel that it was unfortunate that a comparatively small offence should have to go to the Supreme Court merely because it was an old offence. The Crown made no objection to the extension of the utmost leniency Counsel stated that accused came to Otago University from the North when 18, very foolishly wasting the first two years. His father was angry, but with his mother’s help, he was able to stay on and applied himself diligently. In December, 1933, the mother died, this coinciding with his final examination in which he failed. He found that if tie could stay till May the following year, he could .-it for a special examination. He did so, pawning his effects, and living a hand-to-mouth existence, It was during this firne, *-he microscope was pawned. Accused did pass, then obtaining a northern practice with h'.s father’s assistance. When his creditors found he had' commenced pi act ice. they pressed, and meantime, he had married and had a child. He

did get clear of debt, but trouble overtook’ him when the microscope case arose.

His Honor said the offence was committed in circumstances of _ extreme pressure. This was an exceptional case in which the. Confit should! exercise its power to discharge the accused. He ordered the suppression of his name.

Light Wellington List

FOUR SEX OASES.

WELLINGTON, May 3

' Only seven cases, four of a sexual character, were presented to the Grand Jury at the opening of the Criminal sessions of the Supreme Court to-day. Mr. Justice Ostler commented that it- was a remarkably small list for Wellington. True bills were returned in all cases.