SUPREME COURT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3808, 8 March 1927, Page 30

SUPREME COURT.

(Before His Honor Mr Justice Reed). IN DIVORCE. His Honor Mr Justice Reed held a sitting of the Supreme Court to hear undefended divorce cases at 10.30 a.m. on February 28. Edith Helen Markham, for whom Mr Irwin appeared, petitioned to have a decree nisi against Henry Markham made absolute. The decree was made absolute, respondent to have the custody of the two youngest children. Mr Irwin also appeared for William Henry Summers, who petitioned to have a decree nisi against Kathleen Lorna Summers made absolute. Mr Irwin said there was one child, for whom the petitioner was providing maintenance. He did not apply for custody of the child. The decree was made absolute. Robert Francis Brown petitioned for a decree nisi to bo made- absolute against Rose Eliza Brown. Mr Tonkinson appeared for petitioner, and Mr Hay for respondent in support of a motion for custody and in support of a petition for maintenance. He handed in an agreement that had been come to between the parties. The decree nisi was made absolute, and an order made for custody and maintenance in terms of the consent of the parties.

GREYMOLTH, March 1. Mr Justice Adams opened the sittings of the. Supreme Court at Greymouth this morning! The following prisoners were sentenced: — Thomas Win. Todd, aged 54, for incest at Cobden (three charges), received seven years’ imprisonment, his Honor remarking that it was the worst case of the kind he had ever dealt with. James MTlroy, on two charges of theft at Westport, and escaping from lawful custody, received four months and two months respectively, the terms to be cumulative. The Greymouth sitting was adjourned till next week, and his Honor left to-day for Westport. HOKITIKA, March 3. ' At the Supreme Court, before Mr Justice Adams, the only criminal business was the sentencing of Claude Reginald Gaylor, who had pleaded guilty in the lower court to the theft of £129, the property of his employers, Messrs Wild and Bassett. He was sentenced to reformative treatment for a period not exceeding 18 months.