UNHAPPY MARRIAGES

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 July 1936, Page 10

UNHAPPY MARRIAGES

JFSTK'E DEPT. STATISTICS. Petitions tiled for dissolution of marriage last year reached the highest figure ever recorded in Now Zealland. according to tigurcs published in a report prepared by the Census and Statistics Ollice on .justice statistics for 19:15. Divorce petitions loitilhd 867, an increase of 28 oxer the figures for 193-1. The previous highest figure was 843 in 1929. Criminal cases heard in Magistrate's Courts during 19.35 totalled 17.559. an increase of 796 over the figures for the previous year. Summary convictions, which total 38,337, show an increase of 1.7 per cent, over those for 193-1. These convictions represent a rate of 2-1.16 per 1000 of mean population, as against 24.32 in 193-1. which was the lowest recorded in the last ten years.

“The greater proportion of the cases dealt with are in respect of somewhat. insignificant offences,” stales th-, report, “and a comparison of the- figures for 1925 with those for 193-1 show - ilmt during 19.35 a slight i eduction occurred in drunkenness, with a decrease of 7s convictions, while motor traffic offences increased | by 72(1, and comprised 38 per cent, of i the total convictions. Offences against property and breaches of the I nemployinent Act show an increase of 370 ami a decrease of 325 respectively.

"The total number of cases in which sentences were passed upon persons ■ brought before the Supreme Court during 1935 shows a decrease of 65. or 5.4 per cent., from 1931. The nuniiber of distinct, persons sentenced in the Supreme Court during 1935 was •172. or 3.7 per cent, fewer than in 193 1. Offences against, property and to! gory, etc., both show decreases in the number of distinct persons sentenced during the year, while offences against tiie person show a slight increase.”

The report stales there are 11 prisons and State reformatories and three Borstal institutions in New Zealand, as well as 23 minor prisons and police-jails. In to these there were the police stations which may be deemed lo be- prisons for any period (which must not exceed seven days), during which prisoners are detained there undergoing sentence. The daily average number of prisoners in confinement in these various institutions during 1935 was 1212, which was' 149 below the figure for 1934.

Theft, breaking and entering, and attempts, and wilful damage, were the principal charges, preferred against juveniles, convictions for theft and breaking and entering showing an increase, and for wilful dam age a decrease on 1931.