SUPREME COURT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 291, 6 November 1934, Page 2

SUPREME COURT

TRUSTEESHIP CASE. Before His Honour Mr Justice Blair, the case was continued in the Supreme Court yesterday afternoon and to-day in which Alice Elizabeth Bassett, of Palmerston North, with others, asked for the removal of Francis John Bassett, Clifford Harris Thompson and Alexander Louis Stewart from the position of trustees in the estate of the late Francis Bassett, formerly of Weber. Messrs H. R. Cooper and P. W. Dorrington appeared for plaintiffs, Mr A. M. Ongley for the trustees Bassett and Thompson, and Mr T. H. G. Lloyd for the trustee Stewart.

Mr Lloyd continued his address to the Bench, urging that if there had been irregularities his client could not he held to be a wilful party to them as he had relied upon the audited balance-sheets placed before him year by year. Counsel quoted a number of authorities in support of his contentions.

Mr Ongley addressed the Court at some length, alleging that the trustees had been put to unnecessary expense. The plaintiffs should therefore bear the responsibility of that expense, said Mr Ongley. At any time the trustees had been willing to give what had been asked by the Court action — therefore the case had been unnecessary. To-day the Court was addresseeat considerable length by Mr Dorrington, His Honour directing that counsel should deal with the question as to whether the trustee Stewart stood on the same grounds as the other trustees jn view of the submission that lie was merely an advisory trustee.

Mr Cooper did not address the Court, adopting the argument of Mr Dorrington. The personnel of any new trustees who might be appointed was discussed in chambers. Judgment was reserved. SENTENCES AT AUCKLAND. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Nov. 6. Reformative detention for a term not exceeding three years was the sentence passed on Hilda Jackson, aged 33, a domestic, who was found guilty of receiving over £IOOO worth of jewellery stolen from a city shop.

Mr Justice Herdman said that the burglary was a serious one and the police report about Jackson was had. Her associates were of the worst criminal type. Charles Joseph De Luca, a storekeeper, was sentenced to-day to nine months’ hard labour for obtaining money by fraud in connection with the petrol tax refund allowed fishermen.

Mr Justice Herdman said he was not disposed to treat the case lightly. VERDICT OF GUILTY. Per Press Association. INVERCARGILL, Nov. 5. In the Supreme Court to-day, Charles Martin Todd, married, aged 30, (formerly employed, in the office of the Southland County Council) stood his trial on charges of stealing as a servant the sum of £44 ss, the property of the council, and of forging nine pay-sheets. After a two hours’ retirement the jury returned with a verdict guilty on all counts, with a strong recommendation to mercy on account of lack of checking and supervision in the council office.

Todd was remanded till Wednesday morning for sentence.