SUPREME COURT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9402, 31 March 1898, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

(Before His Honor tho Chief Justice Sn James Prendergast.) Wednesday 30ra M\rcii. CARNALLY KNOWING. In the case against Percy Tucker Robinson, of Foxton, for carnally knowing Elizabeth C. J. Lee, a gnl under the age of 10, -the jury, who retired at 5 p.m., took half nn hour to consider their verdict, ■which was one of " Not Guilty." THEFT. James Diggs was indicted with having, on the 18th" December, 1897, stolen the sum of £7 from the person of James Dempsey, of Wanganui; and also with having received the money knowing it to have been stolen. The accused, who pleaded not guilty, ■was undefended. The following jury were empannelled— C. Duigan (foreman), A. Nash, A. Hardy, 3?. Loveday, R. Bunting, R. Simpson, F. Bunting, A. Knight, T. Price, G. Larking, H. Collier and W. Foster. The evidence was similar to that given j in the lower Court, viz., that while Dempsey was-asleep in the Rutland Hotel a purse was taken out of his pocket and the money fllchered therefrom. The accused, with others, was seen in the loom close to Dempsey, and he afterwards paid away to different tradesmen in town money in notes, two of which had been marked by Mis Dempsey and were easily traced. The jury retired to consider their verdict a few minutes before seven, and returned a quarter of an hour afterwards with a verdict of " not guilty " on the first count, but " guilty " on the count of receiving money knowing it to have been stolen. His Honor sentenced prisoner to nine months' hard labor. The Court rose at 7.15.

Thursday, 31st March.

The Court resumed at 10 a.m.

ALLEGED PERJURY.

Walter Henry Cooper was indicted on a charge of committing perjury at the Magistrate's Court, Wanganui, on 30th August, 1897, in connection with the Galyin-O'DriscoH case, tbe charge being similar to that on which Elijia O'Driscoll was indicted and acquitted on Tuesday, Accused, who was undefended, pleaded not guilty. The following jury wore empannelled — W. Glasgow, F. Sarten, W. Foster, F. Oliver, F. Loveday, P. Hogg, T. J. Price, T. Buutmg, James Higgle, H. Brandon, J. Sommerville and G, Larking, Mr Sommerville was chosen foreman. The evidence was simnf • to that given in tbe O'Driscoll case. The jnry retired at 12.30, and returned at 12.45_ with a verdict of " Guilty." The. orenian stated he had been asked by the ury to plead for the leniency of the Court, as they considered accused was simply a tool in the hands ol his employeis. _ /"His Honor sentenced prisoner to three *"" months hard labour.

CIVST; BUSINESS.

HMUUS V. WART>,

Mr Lloyd appeared for the plaintiff and Mr Trovers for the defendant. The statement of claim sets forth (1) that on the 24th March, 1892, the plaintiff Henry Adam Harris) lent the defendant Eugene Sophie Ward) the sum of £200 ; 2) in consideration of the said loan the defendant by deed, bearing datp 24th March, 1892, and expressed to be mode between the defendant of the first part, Edpard Richard Ward (since deeeostid), the husband of the defendant.of the second part, and- the plaintiff of the third part, covenanted and agreed with the plaintiff , that she would repay to the plaintiff the said sum of £200 with interest thereon, at the rate of £10 per cent per aunum by halfyearly instalments of £50; (3) tbe orfendanfc has paid the first two of the instalment* of £50 with interest ; (4) there is / due to the plaintiff the sum of £100 together with interest from Ist February, 1893. Ihe case is proceeding as we go to press.