SUPREME COURT

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 October 1939, Page 2

SUPREME COURT

PBISONERS SENTENCED [PEU PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN. October 17. The criminal sittings of the Supreme Court -wore hold, to-day. Dor the first, time in 21 years, there were no cases for trial. 'Die following prisoners were sentenced by Mr. Justice Ostler; hTaucis Cleaver Mai thews. :’>3. forgery and theft, one year’s reformative detenlion. Henry 'Diomas Carstairs, forgery, probation for two years, subject to taking oui a prohibition order, and to payment of costs and .£lO. secured by forgery, within six months. John Albert Arthur and Charles Joint Smith, both youths, breaking and entering and theft from a shop, the former two years’ detention in a Borstal institution, and the latter two years’ probation. Malcolm McGregor, 35. breaking and entering and thelt, two years probation, accused to prohibit hintself, and to return the money taken, [n this case, counsel stated that it. was a sudden impulse. Prisoner had spent a considerable part of his wages in drink, and, fearing-to face his wife., took the money from the shop to replace the sum spent. Allan James Edwards, lit. negligent. driving causing death, probation for two years, and prohibited from driving for five years. This ease was a sequel to a fatal accident in Otago Central. Counsel stated that prisoner was of exemplary character, with a splendid sporting and scholastic career. Tie was on a cricketing tour at the time of the accident. He was strict ly sober, but was just driving too fast on an unknown road, and realising too late that he had to take a dangerous curve, he misguidedly applied the brakes. Prisoner had suffered injury himself, and would suffer lifelong remorse for causing the death of his friend.

AUCKLAND SESSION. LONGER LIST THAN USUAL. AUCKLAND, October 17. “I regret I think it proper to say that the amount of criminal business to be brought before the Court this session is heavier than it has been of late in this district,” said Mr Justice Callan, in bis charge to the .Grand Juy, at the opening of the criminal session of the Supreme Court. He said there were 21 indictments against 21 persons. “There are four cases of a. most unpleasant nature, of indecent assaults on males. I think it is my duty lo say that four such cases in a list of 21 indictments seems to me a disturbingly large number.” One did not wish to pre-judge the cases, he added, but it was <listu,rbing to have such cases brought, when persons alleged to have been tampered with were young boys, for the slightest acquaintance with this seamy side of lite taught observers that the mischief which might be spread in the community by that, son of thing was simply incalculable.