CRIME AND PUNISHMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 138, 12 June 1911, Page 2

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT.

A BATCH OF PRISONERS. CUMUI/ATIVE SENTENCES ~""" ENFORCED. Twelve prisoners were "brought forward for sentence at the Auckland Supreme Court this morning, and in meting out punishment Mr. Justice Edwards remarked that it was his intention in future to make sentences cumulative to demonstrate to prisoners that if they committed more than one offence they would be punished for each and every crime. Some wrong-doers had the impression that it was no worse to commit several as it was one offence, but cumulative sentences would remove that error. EIGHTEEN MONTHS' PROBATION. A young man, Arthur Wright, not over strong in appearance, who has worked as a farm hand in various parts of Canterbury, and previously borne a good character as an industrious, temperate worker, was admitted to probation for a period of 18 months for the crimo of horse-stealing at Opotiki, and ordered to pay costs, £5 14/3. Hia Honor Temarked that he was mainly influenced by a station-owner's report "that prisoner was a good worker and saving, but suffered ill-health. A X.ONG SERIES OF THEFTS. "A statement and some references," confidently replied Thomas Mortimer Martin, a short, middle-aged man of good address, guilty of three charges of theft at Auckland, when asked if he had anything to say why sentence shoi|kl not Ibe passed upon him. His Honor pointed out that prisoner came before the Court guilty of eighteen separate thefts as a servant between October 28, 1010, and February 3, 1911, and also two offences fot ordinary theft. Punishment could not be • escaped. In Tespect to the first' series of offences, prisoner was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, and on the other ffcwo charges to six months for each, sentences to too cumulative. fek. . j, A DESPERATE YOUTH. A yorath, Joseph Thomas Christie, 17 years of age, with an abnormally large ihead, was brought forward for sentence on charges of theft from a shop (two), theft from, a dwelling, and breaking, entering and theft It was explained that prisoner -was sentenced to four years' imprisonment at Napier last year, and escaped from custody, while being taken to Irrvercaigiß. Since gaining his freedom unla'wfnlry prisoner had successfully got all over the country,, and in almost every place he visited he committed some offence till his capture at Hamilton. He had already admitted a series of crimes ' Committed at Auckland, Wellington, and Ashburton. "He appears to be a desperate young man," observed the Crown Prosecutor. His Honor recognised that the prisoner's career of crime had to be cut short somehow. On each of the three offences two years' imprisonment was inflicted, the sentences to run concurrently, and, iin addition, prisoner was ordered to be detained for a period of not more.-."than •- ten years- for reformative purposes. TOOK A XOAN OF IT. Robert Henry Ward, a youth, 19 years of age, rather shabbily attired, who had pleaded guilty at Waimiha to a charge of the theft. of a horse, saddle, bridle, rugs, stock-whip and overcoat, offered the explanation that he had merely taken a loan of the property, and had no intention of converting it to his own use. " 'It was stated that most of the stolen tfoods had 'been recovered, and also that prisoner had come to New Zealand from Australia with a travelling circus four years ago. Prisoner was sent to gaol for six months, with hard labour. CATTEE STEALING. 'An -unusually dark-complexioned young "Maori, Rua 'Were, guilty of cattle stealing and mischief no Dargaville, was '(represented by' Dr. Bamford, who urged . leniency becauso prisoner had a young wife' and family to support. It appears that prisoner stole eleven calves from & neighbour and sold several, but killed the others w-hen his offence was—likely to be detected. The Crown Prosecutor stated the police reported that some trouble had been experienced in getting the prisoner to support his wife and family. For theft, prisoner was sentenced to one year, and for mischief to two years, the sentences to be cumulative. FORGERY AND THEFT. Alfred Bastin, guilty of false pretences, theft and forgery (two charges), at Auckland, handed in a written statement. In reply, his Honor pointed out tliat prisoner had forged on' endorsement to two promissory-notes, stolen two photographs and obtained £50 by false pretences, and all' the offences extended over a period sufficient to haxe enabled him to realise the error of his way, and he ought to have known oetter. •For forgery, a term of nine months was imposed, and six months on each of the other two offences, the sentences to >be cumulative. A PARALYSED MAORI. 'A Maori named Iwa, totally incapa- ■"■ teitated through paralysis of the left leg and aim, guilty of theft from a dwelling at Te Kuiti, received an unfavourable report from, the police. It was " stated that prisoner bore a bad char- . acter amongst his own people, and had been turned out by them. Since then lie' had, beeri making a general nuisance of himself by loafing around tea shops and restaurants, and getting meals without paying for them. He was described as a degenerate and kleptomaniac. A sentence of two years' imprisonment was imposed. ' ' STARTING EARLY. A flfteen-year-ohl boy. George Naywraith, guilt}"- of breaking, entering, and thoft from a dwelling at Dargaville, admitted a previous offence, and was ordered to be detained for a period not exceeding three years for reformative '.rcatment. RESTITUTION WANTED. John Francis Green, who pleaded guilty in the Police Court the other >iav to the theft of £23 from a Maori ■under peculiar circumstances, was represented by Mr. F. Earl. In this case the native asked accused to cash a XH cheque for him, and in doing it he retained only £30, retaining the balance, C>ut when arrested a further £9 was recovered. Mr. Earl pointed out that prisoner , wtf-s «S years' of age, and was married, •priih sorcn children. He suggested that

the act was not actually a criminal one, but more the outcome of a drinking bout; and that prisoner was an industrious worker, well known to local timber merchants. It was quite likely full restitution could be made by prisoner and his friends.

His Honor deferred sentence till Saturday, and intimated that if prisoner could then make restitution of the sum involved, £14, and pay costs, £3 11/6, probation would be allowed on condition that a prohibition ojrder was also taken out.