SUPREME COURT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 30 August 1924, Page 5

SUPREME COURT.

A RECORD SESSION

(BY TELEGRAPH —PREBS ASSOCIATION.)

WELLINGTON, Aug. 29. this morning, at the Supreme Court, the last case was called in a very heavy calendar that was set down for the criminal sessions of the Court. The lasted a month exactly, when the jury last evening disagreed ju a case that had lasted three a(id ahalf days. The session is believed by officials to have been the longest for at least the last twenty-three years. 111 . a “ twenty-three juries were empanelled. The result of the trials has been nine acquittals and three disagreements and one disagreement concerning two accused charged conjointly. Fines imposed have amounted to £4O Two prisoners were sentenced to five years’ probation between them, and various prisoners received a total of 22 years and five months of hard labour imprisonment. GISBORNE SESSIONS. GISBURNE, Aug. 29. At the Supreme Court, Francis James Hodges was found guilty of uttering split bank notes (two charges) and on one charge of being in possession of a spfit note. Ralph Hankins was charged with wilful mischief, the allegation being that he set fire to a motor-car with intent to defraud the New Zealand Insurance Company. The Crown case reied on the direct evidence of two boys, who alleged that they saw the accused setting fire to the vehicle The boys reversed the evidence giveii bv each other in the Lower Court. Justice McGregor commented that the boys were romancing and instructed the junto hud the accused not guilty This was done