PRISONERS SENTENCED.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 237, 4 October 1916, Page 6

PRISONERS SENTENCED.

judge's wAKicnrc

MISAPPROPRIATIONS TOO FREQUENT*

Sentence was passed at the Supreme Court by Mr Justice Hosking this■ mpniing on three prisoners who had pleaded guilty in the Magistrate's Court. ; DETAINED FOR TWO YEARS.

i Thomas Munro Graham, of Hamilton, pleaded guilty to three charges, one of forging the name of A. Thomas ■to a. cheque,for f6 7/8 at Hamilton, drawn on the National Bank of New Zealand, and'two of causing r the cheque acted iipon by Gharles Parker and; Edward Yariko respectively in; the belief that it was genuine. Asked if he had anything to say, prisoner pleaded that in view-of the fact that the cheque had not been passed, that he had been waiting some weeks for sentence., and that he had enlisted, he might''be-allowed to go-to the front. ; His Honor pointed out that this was not the'first time the prisoner had been before the Court. He had been sentenced on three charges of theft when he was 14 years of age, and later, had received 12 months. • Then : there had been an interval of ten years, during which the prisoner had-apparently led life. Following-"this,-how-he had been admitted to probation for twelve months on a charge of forging and uttering. In view of the circumstances, he would be sentenced to be detained for reformative . treatment'for a period not exceeding two years at the discretion of the Prisons Board.

William -iTothJD, pt Whanga-rei,--clerk-to the Wbxreora. Road Board, who admitted. Saving. received/-inoiiey to of £31 11/8 on; behalf of the' Board and omitted to account for: it, said He- had "nothing; to^eay ,7 except that he "was very eorry. - He aeked for probation. His Honor stated that the chairman of' the-Board gave prisoner an excellent character,-while the reporte of the police and the "probationary "officer"■were also featisfactory. In addition, ■ Mr "'■'■¥. V. Frazer; ■"&&, was -favourably-impressed with prisoner's character. - Continuing, hie Honor stated that these cases were becoming rather <f>mmon, and personally with.- much hesitation any application for probation in future. Usually . the., misappropriation extended over a considerable period, and in cases especially where the money ,N tfis -;not restored he would eerioiisry --consider whether probation ehooJd be applied. There-Bieemed "to be -a? growing: practice lon the; part- of those engaged ac prisoner •was of betraying the trust. In this 'case there was the fact that the amount involved <wa£ not a large one, "and-1 feel," - continued hie Houot, "that you *re- aot a criminal." Continuing, he stated that it >eemed "raUier absurd' t6 admit a man -'51 to probation, but" under the circumstances he would do co. Prisoner would be admitted to probation - for 12 monthe on condition - that he- remained on good behaviour. ;