COURTS AND OFFENCES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXI, Issue 12187, 7 June 1907, Page 5

COURTS AND OFFENCES.

Par United Pi ess Association.')

AUCKLAND, June G

In the Police Couit this moiniug a youug woman, Florence Murphy, was chaiged with attempted suicide on May 27th by jumping into the harbour. Asked liy the lioiK-h lor the reason of her act, the girl gave the laconic explanation •Drunk." The case was adjourned until to-monow in ouler that the deiendant might be dealt with by a stipendiary mac'isli ate. INVERCARGILL, June (5. The Supreme Court was occupied nearly all day heating an appeal by Mrs McAuliffe against the decision of Mr McCaitliy, S.M., in the Shamronk sly-grog c-Aie. The hearing took the form of a retriat, and evidence was called on both sides. Mr Justice Chapman reserved lus decision. Two motions came before the Judge in respect of the ship Stephano Razetto, the effect of which is that the matters are now settled in the action in respect ot the arreet of the ship under Lloyds bottomry bonds, and that all parties are discharged therefrom with the exception of the Bhip and freight and the cargo ot two consignees, which is etill under arrest owing to "these consignees having failed to make any satisfactory arrangements with plaintiff. The case will come before the Court again at Dunedin on Tuesday. AUCKLAND, June 6. A well-dressed young man, Frederick William Lucas, was charged before Mr Justice Dennidton, at the Supreme. Court ciiminal sittings with having committed peiiuiy at the Magistrate Court* Pukelcohp on March 7th and Bth. Accused, -who pleaded not guilty, v>as defendaut in a paternity ease heard at Pukekohc, and m giving evidence swore that at no .time hud he been aloae with the plaintiff, Eva Hart, and was not called to Hart's gate on August BUi, I** l6 . b y Nollie Hart, but went there of his own accord. These statements were in contradiction to the witnesses tor the plaintiff, and were the subject of the charge. Accused swore to these statements on March 7th and repeated them next day when he was cautioned and examined by plaintiffs solicitor. Eva liart, aged 17, deposed that on February Ist, 1906, she was alone with the accused, whom she met when ehe was journeying from the railway station, about two miles from her home. As to the incident at the eat« of the house the witness said Lucas did not come voluntarily. She aaw him passing the house and requested her sister to run out and shout to him to stop. This was done, and witness had a conversation with accused about her trouble. The first remark made by Lucas was "What do you want me for?' Nellie Hart, sister of the last witness, corroborated the previous witness's statements. Accused denied the charge, and called a number of witnesses with a view to proviug au alibi. The jury, however, found him guilty. Sentence uja-. deterred until to-morrow.