SUPREME COURT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 8 June 1927, Page 4

SUPREME COURT

BLENHEIM SESSIONS

PECULIAR THEFT CASE

(United Press Association)

BLENHEIM, This Day. In the Supreme Court, Norman Bowler James was charged with stealing 56 electrical batteries, valued at £250, the property of the F. O. L'irstrom estate. This case was somewhat peculiar. Part of a Deico plant, was put up for auction and sold to James for £2, the batteries not being at the place of sale, but locked in a. shed. James contended that the batteries were part and parcel of the lot he bought, and obtained possession, refusing to give .'them up on demand The prosecution alleged that the auctioneer specified before the sale that- the batteries were not to be sold by ;u'e> tion, and James was accused of theft.

After lengthy evidence, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty. James remains in possession of the batteries.

HEAVY DAMAGES CLAIMED

CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. A claim involving damages of £3186 was heard in the Supreme Court to-dav before Mr Justice Adams, when Rita Gatehouse, an ex-waitress, sued Herbert Benjamin Manton, proprietor of the Silver Service Ritz, for compensation owing to extensive burns received through her clothing catching fire by coming into contact with a radiator used in de" fondant's shop. It was staled that the giri's clothing caught fire and she was shockingly burnt, necessitating eight months' treatment in hospital. Counsel contended"■ that the type of radiator used was unsafe and that the space between the radiator and ,the cash register was too cramped, thus contributing greatly to the possibility of an accident.