SUPREME COURT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17575, 17 March 1919, Page 5

SUPREME COURT

£Per United Pi:ess Association.) AUCKLAND, March 15. In the, Supreme Court to-day, Stephei Airy, secretaiy'-of the Hokianga Dairy Com pany, was sentenced to three years' proba tion and ordered to pay £15 towards th cost of the prosecution. Accused was trie three times on a charge of embezzlemen and falsifying the company's books. Tw juries disagreed, but the third jury foun him guilty of falsification, with a recorr mendation to mercy. , HAMILTON, March 15. In, the Supreme Court to-day, Patric Lorry, an elderly man, was charged wit stealing cattle at Kaimai. He was fine £50. AN UNUSUAL CASE. (Pa* UMTJUJ AoiUL'tATTOB |

AUCKLAND, March 16. The case of William Reyland and Elizabeth Reyland, who were previously before tho Supreme Court, .having guilty before a magistrate to a charge of withholding the necessaries of life from their eon Frank, an' imbecile, again came before Judge Hosking yesterday. On the previous occasion the judge had said that from the reading of the depositions he was not satisfied that the plea of guilty was justified. , Legal argument took place yesterday as to whether the_ law permitted a plea to bo altered or withdrawn. His Honor said the point was an important one and had caused judges anxiety in the past. It might perhaps be a wise course to pass no sentenoe, and to let stand. It would bo a peculiar proceeding if accused -were sent to prison for an offence which was not supported bv facts. , - Counsel formally moved to have the committal for sentence quashed, and outlined the facts of the case. He said there were no signs of ill-treatment, and the son L was well Had full investigation been made at the time the present proceedj in pa _ would never have' been commenced. i Witnesses were called to show that the son was treated in the same way as the other members of the family. The- judge adjourned the case to give the constable concerned an opportunity of being present. He would consult his brother judges on the legal noi.nts raised when the Court of Appeal sat.