SUPREME COURT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 204, 30 July 1931, Page 5

SUPREME COURT.

CHARGE AGAINST CHINAMAN. In the Supreme Court, yesterday afternoon, before His Honour Mr Justice Reed, a Chinese fruiterer of Shannon, Hing Lee, was charged with indecently assaulting a girl (a Maori) under the age of sixteen years at Shannon. Accused pleaded not guilty. Mr Cooke (Crown solicitor) conducted the prosecution, and Mr Mazengarb (Wellington) appeared for accused. The services of an interpreter (Mr J. Kume) were enlisted in the case. The Court was cleared. The jury empanelled were as follow: —Messrs M. E. Knudsen (foreman), E. N. Davis, B. Kinzett, G. Lacey, H. H. Andrew, L. M. Seymour, G. Adams, F. T. Lovejoy, W. Barnett, W G. Gardiner, W. P. Rough and W. G. Day. After a retirement of fourteen minutes the jury returned a verdict of not guilty, accused being discharged. ANOTHER SHANNON CASE. , Subsequently Sue Bing, a market gardener, was charged with two alleged offences concerning a Maori female ■under the age of 16 at Shannon. Accused pleaded not guilty, but no counsel appeared on his behalf, and the services of both Maori and Chinese interpreters were required. Mr Cooke (Crown solicitor) conducted the prosecution.

The jury was empanelled as follows: Messrs S. Napier (foreman), C. W. Denson, F. M. G. TVatchrorn, TV. J. Edwards, B. Hately., W. H. Alltree, B. T. Hickey, F. G. Guthrie, D. H. Armstrong, A. L. Miles, R. Jackson and J. P. Clausen r . !i -y.-- i fr After a retirement df.i two and a-half hours the jury returned at 10.20 p.m. with a verdict of not, guilty on both charges, and accused. Sjras discharged.