LAW REPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1259, 16 October 1911, Page 3

LAW REPORTS.

4 SUPREME COURT. lIIS CONDUCT ON PROBATION. On Saturday morning a young mail named James Hobert M'Grcgor, who had been admitted to probation, but who had failed to comply with the condition?, was required to show cause to tho Supreme Court whv lie should not lie sent 1o gaol. At. the la-.t sitting of the Supremo Court he had been toiiud guilty of theft from the person, and had been admitted to probation for twelve months, being also ordered to meet, the of the prosecution monthly instalments. Since then he had failed both to report to the police and to pay, and'it was reported that he had been associating with reputed thieve* and undesirable women. The Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout), wlio was on the lionch, asked prisoner if he had anything to say as to why lie should not bo sent to gaol. His Honour added that prisoner did not appear to realise that lie might now be sent, to gaol for tho full term of imprisonment, attaching to the original crime. The sentence wliich had been imposed on him at Palmerston North had be.jii a very light one, as lie had, in fact, befn liable to a term of fourteen years. Prisoner replied that he had been unable to report himself to the police because he had lioen working in tho country, but he liad intended to report in Christchnrch on the evening of Iho day on which he had been arrested. He was not awaro that lie liad associated with thieves. His Honour stated that probation must not bo treated as a mere matter of form, and this lapse on the prisoner's part could not be treated lightly. There must he evidence on oath, however, and the ease would be adjourned until Saturday next at 10 a.m., to enable a police officer to come from Christchurch and give evidence.

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before Mr. AW G. Riddell, S.M.) For drunkenness, John Harris was fined JOs., in default seven days' imprisonment at the .Magistrate's Court on Saturday. He was also made the subject ot a prohibition order. John J.-owo was called on to show eauso why he should not be adjudged the putative father of an unborn child. The case was remanded until this morning.