SUPREME COURT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16775, 17 August 1916, Page 8

SUPREME COURT.

CPxr Tjniticd Psebs Association.} AUCKLAND, August 16. In the Supreme Court to-day Alexander M'Phail «as sentenced to five years' hard labour for a criminal offence on a girl. WELLINGTON, August 16. In the Supreme Court to-day James Connor was convicted on a ohargo of receiving £61 worth of medicines and patent medicines, knowing them to have been stolen. Sentence was deferred. Joseph Lewis (hon. secretary of the Wellington Patriotic Society) sued Stanley H. Homer for £501 damages tor alleged slander in tho statement: " lfeore is some dirty work being carried on by the committee of tho Patriotic Society, and your name is not too clean in it." The case excited considerable interest. _ Lengthy evidence v>as taken, and the jury returned a verdict for tho defendant. 'Lhe judge remarked that the result of the trial did not cast any imputation on the plaintiff or the Patriotic Society. PALMERSTON N.. August 16. In the Supremo Court to-day, before the Chief Justice, Thomas Stanley Madge appeared on a charge of the manslaughter of Mr and Mis Growdy, who were killed as the result of a railway accident at the Taonui railway crossing, in which a train and a motor car, driven by Madge, came into collision. J. D. Evans, one of the passengers, said he considered that Madge was a most careful driver. If he had not been so caieful the accident might not have happened. If he had been going faster he would have got over the line before the engine came. He did not hear a whistle. Tho driver and fireman on the express which came into collision with the car gave evidence as to blowing tho whistle and pulling up the train. The defence contended that Madge had taken every precaution, that he had not heard tho whistle, and that he had looked back three chains away from the crossing. Further evidence was given as to Madge's good character and carefulness as a car driver. His Honor said the jury had to find whether tho accused had taken reasonable precautions and care. There was no suggestion that the accused had acted wilfully. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.