SUPREME COURT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 8, 25 August 1911, Page 6

SUPREME COURT.

PALMERSTON NORTH SESSIONS. ;Per Press Association.) Palmerston N., August 24. In the Supreme Court to-day, Frank P. Burford was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for false pretences. John Robert McGregor and Alexander Stanley Dickson, for assault and robbery, wore admitted to twelve months’ probation on condition they pay 10s per month, each off the expenses of the case and that neither go to hotels or drink for twelve months.

John Owen, who was found guilty of lissault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, Was sentenced to eighteen months’ reformatory treatment.

Before a jury of twelve, A. Butterfield, photographer, sued John Davies (both of Levin) for illegal distress warrant, claiming £5Ol damages .Plaintiff leased a shop from defendant. Plaintiff sold out, and defendant promised verbally to a transfer for part payment of the business. Plaintiff accepted a bill of sale for £135. Afterwards there were three months ’rent owing, and defendant issued a distress warrant and sold the chattels by auction in May last. ' In summing up, his Honor asked the jury to answer the following questions; (1) What was the value of the goods restrained? (2) what was the value of the photo tie-*

gatives to sell in the open market ?, (3) what was the value of the negatives to business in Levin? (4) tlie amount of general damages. After a retirement of one hour the jury found tne following: No. i, £69 os; No. 2, nil; No. 3, £SO; No. 4, £25. His Honor adjourned the case for further consideration.

WJfiLLIN G TON SESSIONS. Wellington, August 24. At the criminal sessions of the Supreme Court to-day, before Mr Justice Sim, John Maloney, aged 20 years, was convicted of indecently assaulting a girl eight years of age, and was remanded for sentence. Alien Lee, formerly a storeman in charge of W. and O. Turnbull’ ana Co.'s bond store, .was found guilty of stealing. PALMERSTON NORTH SESSIONS. Palmerston North, August 25. In the Supreme Court decrees nisi were granted as follows :—Richard Andrews v. Margaret Andrews and •Samuel Mitchell, misconduct; A. J. Petersen v. Elizabeth E. Petersen, misconduct.

SIR JOSEPH WARD. (Pit Press Association.) ' Wellington, August 25. At 11 o’clock the Ruapehu was 140 miles away and cannot arrive With the Premier until late to-night. ' Later. Advice by wireless states that the pumii.a message regarding the Ruapehu seems to have been incorrect, as tne New Zealand Shipping Company has received word from Cape Farewell that the steamer passed at 10.20, and should be in by 8 p.m. MINISTERS OF THE CROWN.

.Once more the Hon. J. A. Millar lias hinted that ho will not be sorry to pass on bis Ministerial burdens to other shoulders (remarks the Wellington “Post”). He assured a social gathering cn Saturday night that working before the mast as fin A.B. sailor was something mild compared with a turn on the bridge of the Ship of State. “But I don’t worry,” he confessed, and he declared, practically, that the man who worried would soon be wearied to death. Mr Millar, indeed, has a genial temperament, which saves him from dwindling to a haggard, furrowed wreck in the storm and stress of Ministerial life. Labour and Railways are two Departments to weigh heavily on a man of nervous disposition, but they do not crush Mr Millar. He does not please everybody, but he has his comfort—his determination not to worry. This rule that safety of health/ physical and mental, lies in a successful resistance to any temptation to worry seems to bo observed by most; of the Ministers. The ■ ultra-optimistic Sir Joseph Ward boars ho striking map of worry, on his smooth brow. The Acting-Pre-mier, Sir James Carroll, is as blithe as a thrush in spring. Sir John Findlay does not give his soul over to dull care. The Hon. R. M’Kenzie has not been detected in pain and tribulation about his Ministerial duties. The Hou. D. Biicldo steps lightly under Internal Affairs and other things. The Hon. T. Mackenzie is never a picture of anxiety, The Hon. A. T. Ngata is not being hurried to a premature grave by the pitiless thrust of worry. Perhaps the only Minister, who might be suspected of any tendency to worry is the Hon. G. Fowlds, but lie does not wear tlie air distressed. Cabinet is a happy band. Causes for worry do not lack, but the Ministers have their antidote in the philosophy of nonworry. Mr Millar may invite the country to believe that there are thorns and stinging-nettles on the Treasury Benches, but the seats are hold tenaciously.