COURTS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 11 March 1908, Page 8

COURTS.

(Per Press Association.)

GISBORNIiI, March 10. In the Supreme Court the libel action Sadie Watson v. Joseph Burk, -claim for £499, was concluded after midnight. Plaintiff was a barmaid with defendant, and -lfejrb his employ and gave evidence against him in certain ..polico proceedings. It was alleged that defendant had returned to her a

photograph she had given his wife, having written thereon words^ implying that she was of immoral character. Mr.

_J3ell, K.C., appeared for plaintiff, and Mr. Lusk for defendant. The jury iound for plaintiff with £125 damages. NAPIER, March 10. At the SupremeT/SurC, George Adams was sentenced to two years for attempting to do grievous bodily harm by -striking .a man with an axe. Counsel

for accused submitted four letters testifying to Adams' good character, but the police report showed twelve convicvtions against him for various offences, and His Honour commented strongly on the ease with which such testimo-

nials were obtained. David Davis Trow was acquitted on a charge of carnally knowing a girl under 16 at "Waipuku ..rail.

NAPIER, March 10.^ At the Supreme Court, to-day, Mar tin Johnson, charged with arson, was found guilty jand sentenced to five years' imprisonment. A peculiar point, however, has been' reserved for the Court of Appeal. The indictment charged Johnson with setting fire to a building which waS^afßxed to the soil, and "counsel for the defence raised the point that the Crown had not proved that the building was affixed to the soil.