COURT NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 September 1937, Page 6

COURT NEWS

OPIUM. '.SMUGGLER CHARGED (Per Press Association —Copyright). AUCKLAND/ September. 15. Shortly after the Wanganella arrived yesterday, Customs officials searched the cabin of a passenger from Sydney, and .later Detective Brady arrested a well-dressed young man. To-day, Leonard Thomas Thorpe, a seaman, of North Sydney, pleaded guilty to a charge of importing into New Zealand six tins of prepared opium. The Col led or of Customs said that the opium, which was valued at 50s a tin, was found in the rafters of the cabin and in a lifebelt. Thorpe admitted that he had bought the opium and said it was intended for Chinc.se. The maximum penalty was £SOO or 12 months’ imprisonment.

The Magistrate (Air W. R. McKean, S.M.): You knew the' risk you were taking? Thorpe: 1 think so. Yes. Thorpe, who elected to be dealt with summarily, was fined the minimum penalty of £125 or three‘months’ imprisonment. The Magistrate: Are you able to pay the fine ? Thorpe : No', sir. The police said that Thorpe bad £5 in bis possession when arrested. RADLEY DIVORCE CASE AUCKLAND, September 15. Evidence in the case in which the Solicitor-General intervened to oppose a decree nisi in divorce being maoe absolute was concluded before Mr Justice Callan in the Supreme Court to-day His Honour reserved his decision. The petitioner was Geoffrey Squire Radley, fruit and produce merchant, of Christchurch, and the respondent Dorothy Whaley Radley. an appeal WELLINGTON, September 15. The Court of Appeal to-day heard an appeal brought by Ethel Betbune, of Takaka, a. nurse,, against Edward Coventry Bydder, of Takaka. medical practitioner, in an action for possession of premises in Takaka owned by pvdder and used by Betbune as a maternity hospital. Proceedings seeking possession ol these premises were originally taken in the Magistrate’s Court, but the Magistrate held that the premies were not governed by the lair Rents Act. 1936, and it was not open to him to make the order sought. In an action for ejectment in the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers) held that the Fair Rents Act did not apply, and/an order was made for possession. The appeal to-day was brought on tho ground that the judgment ol the Chief Justice was erroneous in fact and law. After long argument bad been heard, the case was adjourned until to-morrow morning.