SUPREME COURT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11672, 12 April 1916, Page 6

SUPREME COURT.

IN BANCO. (Before his Honor Mr Justice Denniston.) A sitting of the Supreme Court in banco was held this morning, his Honor Mr Justice Deimisto;n presiding. APPEAL AGAINST MAGISTRATE'S DECISION. John Hiekey (Mr G. Tl. Buchanan) appealed against, tho decision of Mr W. A. Day, stipendiary Magistrate at Ashburton, in a, case in which he adjudged appellant the putative father of the illegitimate child ol : Olive Kcrmeen. Mr 11. C. Orbell appeared' for respondent, Thomas Joseph Kermecn, father of Olive Kermecn. Olive Kcniieen gave evidence. Other witnesses gave evidence as to seeing the girl ahd Hiekey together, Thomas Joseph Kermecn. the respondent. a farmer, stated that, he laid the complajnt against Hiekey. Patrick J. Magin, a police constable stationed at Ashburton, and Arthur Thompson, a bootmaker at Ashburton, gave evidence. John Hiekey. appellant, stated that he had known Olive Kermeen between two and three years. He had driven her in his taxi-cab when she ordered it. Only on one occasion had he taken her for a ride without payment being made. _ ' His Honor cross-questioned witness at length. In giving his decision, dismissing the appeal with costs, his H<uior ridiculed the statements of appellant and stated the girl had told a plaiu. straight-for-ward Jt ivjis n case in which a man had given joy rides in a taxi-cab to a girl and had taken advantage of his opportunities. There was ample evidence of corroboration of Olive Kermeen s story. ACTION TO TKU.MIXATE RIGHTS. Louisa Emma Patterson was the plaintiff in an art inn brought- against the Public Trustee to terminate rights between the parties. Mr S. G. R-ay-mourl. K.C., and Mr t.pham .appeared for plaintiff and Mr G. Harper for the Public Trustee. After bearing evidence, bis Honor reserved bis decision.