SUPREME COURT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 24 September 1913, Page 5

SUPREME COURT.

MASTERTON—TUESDAY. (Before His Honour Mr Justice Chapman.) GRAND JURY. The following Grand Jury was empanelled:—J. B. Keith (foreman), James Aroher, Charles Bennett, R. W. Roydhouse, H. H. Donald, J. B. Emmett, E. G. Eton, W. H. Buick, Allan Cameron, Robert Buick, F. E. Elcoate, R. J. Dagg, J, C. Lewis, O. J. Percy, C,--S. Graham, J. Scott, J. M. Lightfoot, W. Johnston, H. J. Francis, A. T. Spain, J. L. Murray, W. S. Jago, and T. MeKenzie. HIS HONOUR'S ADDRESS. . In addressing the Grand Jury, his Honour said their duty was very light. There was only one case for them to decide,, and this was simple, so far as the jury was concerned. It was the duty of the jury to decide whether a prima facie case had been made out to go for trial. His Honour detailed the circumstances of the case, which had reference to an alleged criminal assault.

ALLEGED CRIMINAL ASSAULT. The Grand Jury, after a retirement of about ten minutes, returned a True Bill against Neil Edward Hennah, charged on five alternate counts with having, on or about June 4th, at West Taratahi, having criminally assaulted a female child of the age of fourteen years. The following common jury was empanelled :—Messrs W. Iggulden (foreman), Edgar Sylvester, E. Gunning, J. McLennan, A. 'MejLeod, E. T. Price, T. Thompson; A. W. Mexted, P. Smith, T. Smith, T, Allen, H. lorns, and H. R. Miller. Mr J. Hart appeared fdr the accused, who pleaded not guilty, and Mr A R. Bunny represented the Crown. • His Honour ordered the Court to be cleared during the hearing of evidence. , A number of witnesses were called for the prosecution, and the accused, who is a lad nineteen years of age, was put into the box and absolutely denied that he had cotenmitted the offence with which he was charged.

Three witnesses were called to testify as to the previous good character of the accused. The jury retired at five minutes past five and returned after half an hour with a verdict* of not guilty. The accused was thereupon discharged. TN BANKRUPTCY. The following discharges in bankruptly were granted:—Nellie St. Leger and Rupert William St. Leger (Mr Cullen), Frederick Cooper Fox (Mr Hollings), Harold Goodin (Mr Cullen), Alfred Charles Bicknell (Mr Jackson), James Johnson (Mr Cullen).