District Congratulated by Judge

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 28, 3 February 1937, Page 6

District Congratulated by Judge

ONLY TWO CRIMINAL CASES FOR SUPREME COURT SITTINGS.

“Again I have to congratulate your district on the fact that there seems to be little crime in this busy city,” stated the Hon. Mr. Justice Ostler in his charge to the grand jury at the opening of the quarterly sittings of the Supreme Court in Palmerston North yesterday. “There are only two cases to come before you,” his Honour added, “and 1 don’t think they will cause you a great deal of trouble. One is the usual case of negligent driving causing bodily injury, and the other is a bankruptcy case.” His Honour reviewed the evidence in the two cases, and at the conclusion the grand jury retired, when tiue bills were found against both accused, nameJy:— Alfred Henry Martin: Alleged negligent driving of a motor-car, causing Dodily injury. Frederick John Duckworth: Three charges under the Bankruptcy Act. The following comprised the grand jury: Messrs. N. H. Sinclair (foreman), G. S. Avern, J. Ax, A. J. Berryman, J. Blackwood, H. W. Bovis, S. Bristow, W. Clegg, F. W. Coombs, F. A. Cousins, J. H. Dick, R. C. Donald, H. E. Edmunds, K. W. Eglinton, E. M. Justice, A. E. Kerslake, J. V. Kyle and H. Newport. Besides the criminal business, there are fivo civil cases scheduled for hearing before a jury. Four of these are claims for damages arising out of collisions in which motor vehicles were involved. Ten divorce petitions, one of which is contested, will be hoard by the Judge alone.