SUPREME COURT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15932, 1 June 1915, Page 5

SUPREME COURT.

MAORI YOUTH'S CRIME.

SENTENCE'OF FIVE YEARS.

The young Maori, Rongi Kohi, who was found guilty in the Supreme Court on Saturday of rape, came up before His Honor Mr. Justice Hosking yesterday for sentence,

'Vhen asked whether he had anything to say why sentence should not be passed on him, the accused protested his innocence. " I have dono no wrong," translaid L : :8 Court inter;."eter. "It was not I who assaulted tho girl. The evidence I have given is the truth From tho time ol my childhood, right up to the present ' me, I li-ye dene nothing like this with which I am charged." His A-Tonor imposed a sentence of fiveyears' imprisonment, but told the prisoner that if he were well-behaved he would get out before that time.

MAXIMUM PENALTY.

ASSAULT BY NORFOLK ISLANDER,

The full penalty provided by the law was imposed upon the Norfolk Islander, Charles Fletcher Jackson, who was charged in the Supreme Court on Thursday with assault with intent to commit rape. The jury returned a verdict that the accused was guilty of common assault, and recommended that he should receive the full penalty for such an offence. His Honor Mr. Justice Hosking, in sentencing tho accused yesterday, said that the jury had execrated the conduct of the accused, and he agreed that that conduct was a fit subject for execration. In finding the accused guilty of common assault, the juiy could not fail to find that it was aggravated 'iy collateral circumstances. 'I think," continued His Honor. " thaf I'm op!.! i~> nf your conduct expressed hj t.'o ju i y siiOiJ Ibe '••orno in mind by you in the i.iture. i ee with the rocommtirlation of U'e juiy that the sentence should be the. longest given for a common assault." Accused was sentenced to one yr.r's imprisonment with hard labour—the maximum penalty.

CIVIL SESSIONS.

BUSINESS IN CHAMBERS.

A Chamber sitting was presided over by His Honor Mr. Justice Cooper at the Supreme Court yesterday. The caso of the Gane Milking Machine Company v. McEwan was mentioned by Mr. W. E. Moore, solicitor for tin pl-i'ii'-i" comnany. The action concerned an alleged infringement, of the company's patent. Mr. Moore stated that no defence wna to bo offered, and added that the manufacture of the machines had ceased, so that the company would not proceed further with the main part of thj action. It would be necessary, however, to call ovidoneo in connection with the company's application for a certificate of the validity of tho patent. The case was adjourned sine die, and will bo called on again when a suitable opportunity to submit the necessary evidence occurs. The case of Eustace G' ''dor. "'■ ~ ,;n , of Russell (Mr. E. .1. Prendcrgai. ■ t'lioodoro Arthur Izard, of Waiting! (Mr. iA. L Denniston), was also considered. [Mr. Dcnnistcu stated that as attorney for !>, '■ defend. .->!• he could see no grounds for [■>';.!• Hing t<. t; > .Plaintiff's cation | Jor leave to *J! a certain prope:i. ,-y j I originally by ,-.)a"ptiff to deiendani ""h» I latter, he further explained, ,„., .„' i^g- > land when war was declaiet!. air! v.ir.? i reservist, was called up fur <<•■■■. icr 'r' •.!«>., '.nit hud paid £1100 of th, I'trtOO , , ■-•: upon eg (ii°. price rV-r i|i, nr<>-f-ti 'id ii: pddi'jon ha* wiit LI&JC ~;,. 'vemei '• Now. ■ -.-,-< ibe I "—'A' war' undoubted' f j.irattug " -oi; '.i receivii ■ o ati* .i. *•■. .a the suggebi'. . of Mi . ' • ~n th .•:.'.o was adjourned until Wednesday • •K-rning, as it was possible t'hlat tho i ties might be able to come to some ( o reenjent concerning (he sale.