SUPREME COURT

Southland Times, Issue 21002, 7 February 1930, Page 8

SUPREME COURT

CHARGE OF BIGAMY. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, February 5. In the Supreme Court, James William Hudd pleaded not guilty to a charge of bigamy and a charge of making a false declaration of marriage in 1908. It is alleged that having married at Croydon, England, in 1915, he went through a form of marriage with Ida Browning in May, 1927. Accused’s defence is that he thought his wife was dead. The relations of Browning with one Frederick James Harris, a cabinet maker, whom his Honour classed as one of the frankest witnesses he had seen for a long time, is a prominent feature of the case. Harris under crossexamination said he gave the bride away to Hudd knowing he was married, that he stayed in Christchurch with Browning as man and wife, and to a suggestion that he was infatuated with her said he had been. Accused was found not guilty of bigamy, but guilty of making a false statement and was remanded for sentence. CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION. Wellington, February- 6. The claim of Arthur Lyons, aged eight, against the Highways Transport Co., Ltd., for £2664 damages in respect to injuries sustained through being knocked down by a lorry of the defendants, was concluded late last night. The jury, after four hours' retirement, returned with a majority verdict that defendants’ driver was negligent and that the boy was not negligent. The jury awarded £1154 damages. The application for judgment for £1154 was reserved for further consideration. An application for defendant to move a non-suit for judgment, for the defendant and for a new trial was made. The Chief Justice fixed the time for the hearing of these at seven days hence. NOT GUILTY OF FRAUD. Auckland, February 6. After evidence had been given against John Albert Roberts, of Whangarei, on three charges of obtaining credit by fraud, Mr Justice Herdman directed the jury to return a verdict of not guilty, saying that accused did get credit, but the evidence showed that he afterwards paid the debts. JURY DISAGREES. Palmerston North, February 6. The Supreme Court action in which Mrs Messenger claimed from H. E. Bergersen the sum of £2OOO for the death of her husband as the result of a motor collision was concluded last night. The jury after four hours was unable to agree and a new trial was ordered. CHARGE OF EMBEZZLEMENT. Timaru, February 6. At the Supreme Court, on a charge of appropriating £l3l 19/1, the property of the South Canterbury Power Board, Walter Keen was admitted to probation for three years and ordered to make restitution. NOT GUILTY OF INDECENT ASSAULT. Timaru, February 6. At the Supreme Court to-day James Charles Allfrey was found not guilty on a charge of indecent assault on a girl under sixteen years of age at Tem’uka on November 14 last, but guilty of common assault. The jury recommended leniency. Accused was ordered to come up for sentence if called on within twelve months. CASES AT DUNEDIN. Dunedin, February 6. In the Supreme Court to-day, Daniel Boyce was found guilty of committing an indecent act intending to insult or offend a woman, and was remanded till Monday for sentence. Daniel Craig Miller Andrews pleadea guilty to causing bodily, harm to a man in circumstances that if death had ensued he would have been guilty of manslaughter. He was remanded till Monday for sentence.