Public Prosecutor v Naturel [1950] VUNHJC 8; Criminal 785 (27 July 1950)

JOINT COURT OF THE NEW HEBRIDES

Judgment No. 785.

This twenty seventh day of July One thousand nine hundred and fifty.

Before Their Honours:

Y. GESLIN, French Judge, President,
H.J.M. FLAXMAN, British Judge,
assisted by:
H. COUSTARD de NERBONNE, Assessor,
S. DUBOIS, Public prosecutor ad hoc,
and R. CORNETTE, Registrar ad hoc.

This is a charge against Mr; Roger NATUREL, French citizen, planter living on Epi, accused of having at Aoba during the months of April and June 1949 irregularly recruited three native women (Breach of Article 33, punishable by Article 56 of the Protocol of 6th August 1914).

The accused was examined and the Public Prosecutor ad hoc having delivered his address, Mr. DALY then presented the case for the defence, following which the Court proceeded to give Judgment.

JUDGMENT

Whereas it is shown, by the evidence in the file and by the accused's admissions, that Roger NATUREL is guilty on three counts of having at Aoba during the months of April and June 1949 irregularly recruited the native women EVA, NELLIE and AGNES, the first without the consent of the Head of the Tribe, and of the Agent of the Administrative district, the two latter without their husbands;

And whereas, these facts constitute breaches of Art. 33 para.1 punishable by Art. 56, para I of the Protocol of 6th August 1914.

ON THESE GROUNDS:

The accused is sentenced to pay a fine of two hundred francs for each offence, with costs amounting to TWO POUNDS FIVE SHILLINGS and THREE PENCE STERLING.

French Judge
British Judge
Assessor

Registrar ad hoc.