Supreme Court

Southland Times, Issue 14799, 16 November 1900, Page 2

Supreme Co urt

[By Telegraph.] Christchurcu, Nov. 15. Thomas Mabin was charged with libelling Thornhill Cooper. Both parties are average adjusters and the alleged libal was contained in a letter to a firm of shipping agents. The accused conducted his own case. The jury returned' a verdict of " Guilty," with a recommendation to mercy on account of his age. His Honour asked if any friend of accused was present in court. He had endeavoured to make the prisoner realise his position, but had failed and he felt some reluctance in sending a man of accused's age to gaol. Ultimately his Honour said he would deal with the prisoner in the morning. In the case of John Jennett, charged with criminal assault on a young woman at Lakeside, the jury returned a verdict of " Not Guilty." Henry Cunningham, for stabbing Thomas Archey, master of the Burnham School, got 12 moDths, and was ordered to be kept separate as much as possible from other prisoners. Welx.ixc.tok, Nov. 15. The hearing of the charge against Andrew Quinlan, of alleged assault with intent at Pahiatua, was continued. The jury returned a verdict of " Not Guilty" with which his Honour concurred. Richard Underwood and John Siddells pleaded "Not Guilty " to a charge of having robbed and assaulted John Woodgate. The case broke down and, by direction of the court the jury returned a verdict of " Not Guilty. "