A JUDGE'S DUTY.

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 December 1911, Page 6

A JUDGE'S DUTY.

REMARKS BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE. (BT TIL2GBAPH —PKB PRESS ASSOCIATION.] PALMERSTON N., December 3. ‘•lt is not generally known by those who criticise judges,” said the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) when .sentencing- a prisoner yesterday, ‘ that it is my duty to find out al I can about an accused person’s character, and if I get evidence 1 state it to my Counsel. 1 must not only look at what ns proved in tho Lower Court or in this Court, but must look outside. In this case (Alfred Arthur Henderson, a youth, was being sentenced on a charge of breaking and entering- and then at Karako Bay. The hid seems to think that tho matter is of no importance. When a prisoner asks for probation and does a thing like that, it might not be granted. 1 notice that the Chief Detective says he does not realise the seriousness of his posi tion.” Mr A. L. Herdman (counsel for prisoner).— he does. His uncle is prepared to take him. ’ “This theft,” declared his Honour, “was a mean one. He stole the articles from people who had been friends to him. That is not very satisfactory. However, I always desire to be lenient, perhaps too much so, and I am wiling to give you another chance. He will be given probation for twelve months, and must report himself monthly to the probation officei. Mr Herdman asked His Honour to fix some hour for the boj r to be indoors at night. His Honour.—Yes, he must be in at 6 o’clock at night for the first three months to see how he gets on.