SENTENCE REDUCED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 153, 30 June 1934, Page 10

SENTENCE REDUCED

NELSON APPEAL CASE FULL COURT’S DECISION. [ Per Press Association. ) WELLINGTON, June 29. The Full Court gave judgment in the Nelson appeal to-day. Separate judgments were given by the judges, taking two hours to read. The result was that in two of the three convictions three members of the Court were of the opinion that they should be confirmed. Mr. Justice Blair dissentdU. As to the third conviction, the Court was equally divided, Judges Herdman and Reed being of opinion that it should be affirmed, and the Chief Justice ana Mr Justice Blair holding the contrary view. The result is that the convictions are affirmed, but in accordance with the unanimous opinion or the Court the sentence was varied so as to reduce the period of imprisonment to three weeks as from March 28, when Nelson was liberated on bail. The period of exile from Samoa was not disturbed, the Court expressing the opinion that the Governor-General has power at any time to deal with the matter if he is of opinion that the conditions warrant him in so acting. Mr. Cook, counsel for Nelson, applied for leave to appeal to the Privy Council. This was refused, the Court holding that it had no jurisdiction, the decision of the Supreme Court in this matter being final. The Court pointed out that it was still open to Nelson to apply direct t« the Privy Council for special leave to appeal.