VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 136, 9 May 1928, Page 8

VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY.

SOLDIER SETTLER BEFORE COURT. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, May 8. “Responsible officers 'op the Crown ought not to prosecute without sufficient reason and competent advice,” said Mr Justice Adams in the Supreme Court to-day, when addressing tho jury concerning the case against a soldier settler, John Blair, who pleaded not guilty to a charge of having sold without the consent of 'the grantee of a chattel security thirty-six lambs, one Cambridge roller and a set of harrows, of .a total value of £56, which were covered by the bill of sale. The Crown Prosecutor. Mr Donnelly, said that Blair was a soldier farmer who had not succeeded with the venture and had got a grant from the Government. The case against accused rested upon his having sold certain chattels which he had given to the Crown as security for the advanco. However, the case was not a strong one by any means. Mr J. C. C. McLauchlin, fields instructor for the _ Lands Department, at Ashburton, said that Blair was a muddler and that w;as really the wbolo cause of his being in Court. Witness did not think that accused intended to defraud the Government. Ho had never known a returned soldier to read a bill of sale. After other evidence, tho Crown Prosecutor said, in reply to His Honour, that it would he idle to ask the jury to convict accused.. There was uo case against him. The Judge said that he was of the same opinion. There was no evidence of intent to defraud.

The jury returned a verdict of not guilty without leaving the . Courtroom.