WAIKATO GANGSTERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 July 1930, Page 5

WAIKATO GANGSTERS

REMARKABLE CRIME RECORD

SALUTARY SENTENCES

[per press association.]

HAMILTON, July 24.

The Hamilton Supreme Court was crowded this morning, with interested spectators, when six of the ten Cambridge gangsters, who pleaded guilty of arson, theft, and mischief, came before Justice Herdman for sentences on charges to which the accused had pleaded guilty. The accused were John Meredith, one charge of arson and two of theft; E. D. Brown, six of arson, one attempted arson, one mischief, and two theft; Alfred D. Brown, five arson, two theft; H. C. Hall, six arson, two mischief, one theft; John V. Featherstone, seven arson, one attempted arson, two mischief, three theft; W. S. Goodall, two arson, one of theft. The two Browns, Meredith and Hall were each sentenced to two years’ imprisonment with hard labour on one arson charge, to be. followed by reformative detention not exceeding three years. On each of the other charges, they were sentenced to one month’s hard labour, the sentence to be concurrent with the other term of imprisonment. Featherstone and Goodall were each ordered to be detained in the Borstal Institute for a term not exceeding three years on the arson charge, and sentenced to one month’s hard labour on each of the other charges, the sentences to be concurrent. His Honor remarked that no doubt the prison authorities would see that the young men were not detained in the same institutions.

Addressing the prisoners, His Honor said he was puzzled to account for the extraordinary outbreak of crime. It was not want that had driven them to commit the serious offences to which they had pleaded guilty, nor did it appear to be a desire for gain. Moreover, it was not a sudden impulse that had caused them to go from place to place committing acts of destruction.

His Honor said he could find no excuse for the conduct of accused, and could think of nothing that would explain it, excepting a definite criminal instinct. - They had acted deliberately and systematically, and depositions showed that for months they had been engaged in a campaign of destruction and theft. How long they would have continued committing these acts of crime had they not been arrested, it was difficult to say.

“Fortunately,” added His Honor, the vigilance of the detective officers stationed in Hamilton, whose ability and efficiency are deserving of praise, brought you to justice. It is now for me to make sure that for some time, at any rate, you will not be able to repeat your past performances.” Proceeding. His Honor said: “Buildings have gone up in smoke, stacks have been burned, a car has been set fire to. another car was thrown into a river, and property to the value of £4OOO has been destroyed, an amazing record for a band of young men. It is not often in New Zealand that a Judge has such a series of offences to consider, nor such a collection of young criminals to deal with. One thing is certain, you must be punished with severity, and in such a way that other young men may be deterred from imitating your example.”