SUPREME' COURT.

Timaru Herald, Volume XC, Issue 13298, 29 May 1907, Page 5

SUPREME' COURT.

Per Press Association.

AUCKLAND. May 28. At the Supreme Court a middle-aged man named "Evelknd Taylor, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment: for indecent 'assault on a child of seven. The Grand Jury returned' no bill ih the charge oi manslaughter against Charlotte Evans in connection with the death of a board-out infant, and accused was discharged. Arthur Harris pleaded not guilty to a breach of the age. of consent at Ellerslie and Devonport, and to abduction. The Crown Prosecutor' (the Hon. Mr Tole) said that the girl was not yet 16 years of. age. and at the time of the offences alleged to have bean committed was only a few months over. 15. Her fathc-r is a horsetrainer, and prisoner is a jockey who lived in the same house. He was warned By the girl's father, arid it was alleged'that he took her away una night, and they stayed., away till the following day,' when some friends of the girl saw her and took charge of her. Some letters written by the 'girl were read. In them she said that she loved accused, and would wait for him if he would have her; if not she would take "the veil," as her parents had threatened to put- her ih a convent. The case was adjourned till to-morrow morning. The, jury were not locked up, but were cautioned not to 'speak to anyone about the case.

No bills ■ were 'returned by the grand jury in the cases of Herbert Straker and Charles Wilton, the motormen charged with manslaughter consequent on the tram fatality, and both men were discharged; ist- the Supreme Court sittings before Mr Justice Denniston a charge of indecently assaulting a girl under the age of 7 years at Mercury Bay was brought against Eve] and ' Taylor, a middle aged man. A verdict of guilty was, returned, the Jury, adding a recommendation for leniency owing to accused's previous good character. His Honor ■ deferred sentence until this morning. In asking for leniency prisoner said lie had' never been; in Courtbefore, though he was 58 years old. His Honour remarked that it was the first- convection, but not the first offence, for the little , girl had sworn to a previous act of the same sort-. A sentence of two years' hard labour was passed.

WANG A NUT, May 28.

The Supreme Court opened to-dav before Mr. Justice Cooper, who, in his charge to. thif Grand Jury, said that he was glad to say that the calendar was notlarge. Tiiere were only eight charges against six persons, one being of indecently assaulting a child. > \ Roger Pope (67) 'charged with indecentassault oh a girl was sentenced; to two years 'imprisonment. In the case of James Eloyd. charged with cattle-stealing, the jury disagreed and, Floyd w£}.s bound over to appear wiien called upoh. This case was Wore th© Court last session when the jury failed to agree.

W . DUNEDIN, May 28. _ At the Supreme Court to-dav Philip Solomon, aged 17, and Louis Solomon, aged 24, pleaded guilty to assaulting one Leg-get' with a bradawl. Louis was fined £3\and Philip admitted to probation for nine months and ordered to. pay 40s costs.