SUPREME COURT

Northern Advocate, 2 May 1933, Page 6

SUPREME COURT

A HEAVIER LIST. HIS HONOUR'S REGRET. (Per Press Association.—Copyright.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The quarterly session of the Supreme Court was opened yesterday before Mr Justice Blair, who in his Charge to the Grand Jury* said he was sorry the amount of business it would have to consider was larger than usual. There were 10 cases against 10 persons. The Grand Jury returned a no bill in once case. WOMAN WITH REVOLVER. FACTS CLEAR.

(P**r 'Association.—C^nyrichtA CHRISTCHURCH, This Day,

In his address at the opening of the Supreme Court criminal sessions, Air. Justice MacGregor said that in the eases which involved injury the facts were unusual, but seemed fairly clear. The first case was that of Mrs. Long, who was charged with firing a revolver at a man. From the evidence it was clear that the woman had not intended to do actual bodily harm, but had succeeded in doing so. The facts would present little difficulty. There were alternative charges against Clarence George Gibson, namely, manslaughter or assaulting a fellow relief worker. The facts were very unusual. It was very unfortunate that the two men had had an argument. When together in a gang on relief work they hail had a quarrel. Apparently Gibson had struck the other man and he fell to the ground over a steep bank, dying shortly afterwards. According to the pathologist’s report, death was not caused directly by the actual blow nor even b} r the fall. It seemed that death was due to the man having in some way. twisted his neck so as to cause diffusion of blood into the brain.