POLICE COURT

Evening Star, Issue 19026, 22 August 1925, Page 4

POLICE COURT

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22

(Before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M.)

DRUNKENNESS,

John Robert Sutherland, who had been remanded for medical treatment on a charge of drunkenness, was now brought up for sentence.—Senior-ser-geant Quarterniain said that defendant had now recovered, but his friends and relatives were of the opinion that he should go to “ the island.” —A male friend of defendant’s said that Sutherland was “ absolutely hopeless ”; he would not stop drinking.—Defendant asked witness whether he (defendant) had not done more business than the latter when on a joint trip.—The Magistrate remarked that it was not a case of who did the most business, but who had done the most drinking.—Defendant retorted that it was scarcely a fair thing that he should bo sent to the island when he had been convicted but twice in ten years.—The wife also urged that defendant be sent to Roto Roa, and an argument arose regarding certain violent conduct by defendant, in the course of which the wife declared that she would “ tako care he didn’t touch her,” and that she was well able to deal with'him herself.—Defendant added that he -was convinced the whole thing was “ a put-up job.”—The Magistrate said he would give Sutherland a chance, but warned him that if he drank at all he would ho sent to Roto Roa. Defendant was convicted on each charge and discharged, but was ordered to pay £2 2s (the cost of medical treatment), in default seven days’ imprisonment. A first offender was fined 12s 6d (including 2s 6d cab fare), in default twenty-four hours’ imprisonment, on a charge of drunkenness.