SUPREME COURT SITTINGS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15385, 23 February 1912, Page 5

SUPREME COURT SITTINGS.

(Pin Duron pßtsa Association.) AUCKLAND, February 22. In the Supremo Court to-day Judgo Edwards, commenting upon tlio number of cases of assault causing actual bodily harm, said : " 1 must try to keep tho streets clean and safe. Anr.kland must ho safe at all time." On thnso charges ho sentenced ltichard Vines and Charles Green each to 18 months' imprisonment, and George Crowthere and Daniel Joseph Have to two years. A chnrgo against a 17-year-old lad named Arthur Walding, arising out of tho shooting caso on tho steamer Wakatero at Thames on January 7, was heard. Tho accused was charged (1) with causing actual bodily harm under circumstances that would have amounted to manslaughter had death ensued; and (2) with assault causing actual bodily harm. Tho jury returned a verdict of guilty on tho first count. Tho foreman stated that tho jury regretted to havo to find tlio boy truilty, as it considered tho affair to bo purely accidental. Hid Honor said it was not purely accidental; it was negligence. Ho ordered tho boy to come up for sentence when called upon, and ordered him to pay cost* amounting to £30 15s, no action for collection to'be taken without at. order of the court. WANGANUT. February 22. At the Supremo Court to-day tho rfr> trial of A. V. Vinsen for alleged indecent assault and carnal knowledge resulted in tho return of a verdict of not guilty.