SUPREME COURT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3829, 2 August 1927, Page 50

SUPREME COURT.

CRIMINAL LIST. The criminal sitting of the Supreme Court will commence to-day. The following is a list of cases for sentence and for trial:— FOR SENTENCE. John Alexander Graham, two charges of cattle-stealing, at Dunedin. Ralph Alexander Renton and James Ronald Renton, breaking, entering, and theft by night, at Owaka. Ronald William Winton and Noel James Francis Campbell, breaking, entering, and theft by day, at Clarkesville. Gordon Brown, three charges under the Bankruptcy Act, at Invercargill. Ashley George Faigan, manslaughter.— This accused was before the court at its last sitting, and was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment- on a charge of negligent driving. The sentence on the charge of manslaughter was reserved pending the decision of the Court of Appeal on a point of law regarding the culpability of an unlicensed driver. That point hail been decided, and the prisoner is coming up for sentence. At the time his Honor Mr Justice Reed stated : “The decision of the Court of Appeal will be referred to me, and I shall certainly not increase his punishment.” FOR TRIAL. Thomas Alexander Tobin and Edwin Tobin, breaking and entering by night with intent to commit a crime, at Dunedin. John Frederick Hammerley, indecent language, at Dunedin. David Thomas Pearson, carrying on business as a bookmaker, at Dunedin. Thomas Butler, similar charge to above. Henry Albert Park, fraudulently stat.-ng he had posted a postal packet containing a money order. Walter John Gower, three charges of carnal knowledge and one charge of attempted carnal knowledge, at Dunedin. Alexander Campbell, James Shaw Campbell. Samuel Campbell, Charles James Thomas Alexander Lowery, and Frederick William Bamficld, alleged false pretences (six charges), at Dunedin. Same accused and Clifford Peel, alleged false pretences (two charges), at Dunedin. Alexander Campbell, Janies Shaw Campbell, Samuel Campbell. Frederick William Bamueld, and Clifford Peel, alleged false pretences.

CIVIL SITTINGS. The following is a list of cases set down for hearing at the civil sittings of the Supreme Court, commencing on a date subsequent to the conclusion of the criminal sessions : — (Before a Judge and Jury of 12.) Isabella Jane Palmer, of Dunedin (widow) v. the King.—Claim £2oov damages.—Mr Callan for plaintiff; Mr F. B. Adams for defendant. James Garfield Stewart, medical practitioner, Milton, v. Arthur Cecil Biiggs, medical superintendent of the South Otago Hospital Board, Balchitha.— Claim £5<X), for alleged false and malicious publication.—Mr H. E. Barrowclough for pfttintiff; Mr R. R. Grigor for defendant. (Before the Judge alone.) George Bain Henderson, of Morven Hills, sheep farmer, v. William Donald Henderson, of Middlemaich, sheep farmer, —Claim £l6OO, with interest, money lent. —Mr Payne for plaintiff; Mr Laim for defendant. Arthur Edward Yeates Smith, of Invekcargill, compositor, v. Florence Claudine Victoria Provo, of Dunedin, spinster.—Claim for £5OO. damages for alleged breach of promise to marry.—Mr G. J. Reed for plaintiff; Mr W. G. Hay for defendant. William James Bevis, of Dunedin, hotelkeeper, v. Rebecca Marion Bond, of Dunedin, married woman.—Claim for £453 Ils, moneys alleged to be due.—Mr Callan for plaintiff; Mr G. E. Louslev for defendant. John Simpson, of Benmorc, sheep farmer, v. John Young, of Outrani, fanner. Claim for order of execution of memorandum of satisfaction.—Mr Raymend (Timaru) for plaintiff; Mr Finch for defendant. AUCKLAND SITTINGS. AUCKLAND, July 26. Tn his charge to the Grand jury in opening the criminal sessions, Mr Justice Herdman said there was nothing in the list to indicate any wave of crime. The number of cases for trial was fewer than usual. In a charge against a young pre' tioncr nurse in Auckland province, who gave birth to a child, and the child was found in a locker with portion of a singlet round its neck, there was (he said) no evidence that any attempt had been made to strangle the child. The girl was »verwronght, and possibly her mental condition might have been affected. Under the circumstances he took the responsibility of suggesting that the jur.- would be justified in finding that tliere .T.s not sufficient evidence to prove th a prima facie case of attempted murder had been made out. The Grand Jur> found no bill, and the nurse was discharged. James Cecil Phillips pleaded guilty to theft as a servant at Putaruru. lie had, previous to arrest, accidentally shot himself and had lost one eye, and is likely to lose the sight of the other. Mr Judice Stringer said that the prisoner had inflicted upon himself most serious injuries, and it would be cruelty to subje- him to imprisonment. There did not seem to be a possibility of his making restitution. He was ordered to come p for sentence if called upon within 12 months. GUILTY OF FORGERY. PALMERSTON N„ Ji y 2G. That his downfall had been brought about by drink, and that he had forged his brother-in-law’s name to a cheque in order to obtain money for this purpose, was stated of Thomas David Thomas, a young man who appeared in the Supremo Court for sentence on a charge of forging and uttering c cheque for £6. His Honor, Mr Justice Ostler, placed the prisoner on probation on strict conditions, including abstinence from liquo£