RECORD OF A WASTER.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 285, 2 December 1925, Page 7

RECORD OF A WASTER.

LIFELONG GAOL IN PROSPECT. SENTENCE OF TWO YEARS. "That is the record of a waster," said the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) in the Supreme Court this morning, after reading out a list of convictions against Walter Frederick McCarthy, who appeared for sentence for breaking, enter-* ing and theft.

"Give mc a chance. I've been foolish with the drink—that's all," pleaded the prisoner. "It's the first time I've been before the Supreme Court." His Honor said it was not the prisoner's first offence- Ho had been released from prison in September aftetf serving six months for breaking, entering and theft. What was to be dono with prisoner? His Honor didn't know. He had started off in 1018 with a conviction for theft, and had since been frequently convicted for drunkenness, and other offences. His Honor would recommend that he be sent to some farm, to see if they could get tbe drunkenness out of him. After this offence, prisoner was likely to be made an habitual criminal. That would mean that he would remain in gaol for the rest of his lifetime. There were some men in gaol to-day who had been declared habitual criminals, and they had not been out for many years. The sentenco could be 10 years, but on this occasion his Honor would make it two years.