SUPREME COURT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12790, 6 November 1919, Page 8

SUPREME COURT.

CRIMINAL SESSIONS.

The criminal sessions of the Supremo Court wore continued to-day before his Honor Mr Justice HerdmanMr A. T. Donnelly represented the Crown. REFORMATORY TREATMENT.

Henry Trabncll Laing. a tram conductor, came up for sentence on charges of attempted carnal knowledge of a girl tinder sixteen years of age tind indecent assault, upon which he was found guilty yesterday.

Mr 0. T. J. Alpors, who appeared for Laing, said that prisoner was twenty-nine years of ago, and so far had had a good record. The Probation Officer's report gave him a good character, which was supported by a report from the 'lVamway Board. Laing was a married man, and counsel was in a position to say that his wife was prepared to stand by him even under these painful circumstances. His Honor said that he would certainly take into consideration the fact that accused had borne an exemplary character in the past, but it was his painful duty to inflict some punishment. The case was not ono where violerice had been used or ono where physical injury bad resulted to anyone. It was impossible for his Honor to admit prisoner to probation—that was not done in cases of this kind. Prisoner would ho sentenced to twelve months’ reformative detention, and it would rest with the Prisons Board whether ho would have to serve the full period. A WESTPORT CASE. Charles Robert Biguell was charged that between February 24 and March 31, 1910, at Westport, he supplied noxious things with intent to procure a miscarriage. Tho charge against Bignell was heard at tho last sitting of the Supreme Court at Westport, but the jury failed to agree. On a new trial being ordered, tho Crown applied for a change of venue, which was granted, tho case being sot down for hearing at Christchurch. Accused, who pleaded not guilty, was represented bv Mr 0. T. J. Alpcrs and Mr F. D. Sargent. Mr Alpors said that Mr Sargent and himself had taken up the brief on behalf of Mr At. Hannan, who, ho regretted to say, was very seriously ill. When the jury was being empanelled Air Alpors exhausted his challenge, six. Challenges by the Crown were also more numerous than they had been on any otbor day of tho session. AH witnesses were ordered to leave the Court.

Mr Donnelly said that the charge against tho accused was that he had supplied to a girl certain pills with intent to procure abortion. Accused was in tho employ of the Westport Harbour Board, and the girl, who resided with her parents in Westport, had boon keeping company with him Rt twelve months. In June a child "as born and, following affiliation proceedings, Bignell was arrested on the present charge. Ellen Halo, a young woman residing with her parents i- Westport, said that she had know .isod since 1017. Altogether accused ~aJ supplied her with six packets of pills, the last on March 7.

Annie Gaffney, a married woman, sister of the last witness, said that she overheard a conversation between Bignell and her sister, during which the former made a certain reference to pills.

Constable Patrick CTDonoghue, stationed at Westport, said that he knew that Bignell had been . keeping company with the girl. To Mr A 1 pore; Witness quarrelled with Bignell over a horse. Ho had not known, until it was stated in the West Coast proceedings, that a complaint had been made against him to the Inspector of Police on behalf of Bignell. As far aa he know Bignell did not go ahead with the complaint, which witness had heard was grounded on him having an alleged interest in

a trotting horse. Mary Eliza Thomson, restaurant keeper, and Henry Todd, Harbour Board night watchman, gave evidence.

Robert Francis Mullan, chemist, Westport, produced his day book to show the sale of pills to a man named Bigncll on March 6. Witness did not know tho purchaser, and asked his name. He said that the pills were for Bignell, the man who kept trotting horses, and so witness allowed credit. On March 13 a man met him in the street and asked him to supply ai “repeat” order of pills, saying they were for Bignell. "Witness could not say if this was tho same man. On

May 20 a man stopped him in tho street and paid him 245, which was owing on tho pills. Ho said tho payment was for Bignell To Mr Alpcrs: It was no infringement of tho law to sell the pills. They were a standard medicine. Ho could not say that tho man who gave the repeat order was the same man as tho one who first came Into tho shop. Air Alpcrs: Was it, tho man at the bar?

Witness; I am certain it was not. He was taller than Bignell. 'Tiro first time I saw Bignell to know him was

at tho preliminary proceedings. To his Honor: There might have been three different men altogether. He was unable to identify a man in a town like Westport even after he had met. him in tile street.

His Honor; Are you positive that tho man in tho dock was not tho purchaser?— Yes.

Isabel Madeline Alullan, wife of the previous witness, gave evidence that she had sent the account to “ G. Dipnoi 1, Scanlan’s Hotel.” °

, I'Orimer Sunley, engineer’s apprentice in the employ of the Westport Harbour Board, said that on one occasion Bignell came to him and said that, in the event of any of tho police coming to witness and asking him if ho had been to Alullen’s chemist shop or the girl’s house for Bignell, to say no.

To Mr Sargent: He had told the truth to Detective Quartormain. Ho might have gone to Mullen’s for Bignell, but he had no recollection of going there for him.

Augustus Bickerton, Government Analyist, and Robert Bernard Pearson Monson, medical practitioner, Westport, gave evidence relating to the composition and effect of the oilis, r Jlie ktter said that such pills were liable to produce abortion or miscarriage. Albert Adam Wilson, solicitor, West)>ort, Detective-Sergeant Reginald Ward, William D. Wallace, clerk of tho Magistrate’s Court. Westport, and Senior-Sergeant M’Crorio gave formal evidence.

Mr Alpers said that ho did not intend to call any witnesses and at 2,30 p.m. Mr Donnelly commenced his address to the jury. (Proceeding.)

OTHER CENTRES.

[Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, November 6. At tho Supreme Court Oeeilia Hunter, on a charge of forging; the name of her sister to a' soldier’s allowance, was ordered to come up for sentence when called on, on undertaking to remain m custody until November 13, when she could rejoin hor husband, who had promised to look after her. Jack Tauwhanga, who waa convicted of assault and robbery, was sentenced to twelve months’ hard labour, followed by three years’ reformative treatment. Walter Henry Newman, for theft, was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment, followed by three veers’ votornwtiTo treatment.