Backing a “Stiff Un.”

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 10510, 14 February 1928, Page 2

Backing a “Stiff Un.”

JUDGE’S ADVICE TO PRISONER,.

PROGRESS IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT HARD WORK.

(Speoial to the Times.) AUCKLAND, F'eb, 12.

“If you think you-are going to get on in this world without honest, hard work, then I can tell you at once that you are backing a ‘stiffun,’ ” said Mr Justice Blair at the Supreme GYiurt yesterday ,to Boe Griffis, who camo up lor sentence, having been found guilty of attempted theft from the person at Devonport. Mr Reed, for the prisoner, said the latter had not had a very successful career since leaving school. He had worked in the stables of a horse trainer at Hastings and had been thrown from a horse, receiving a fractured skull, which had kept him in hospital for twelve months. Later, lie got employment with a baker but, unfortunately, the police one day raided the bakery and found Griffis and others playing “Grown and anchor.” Being right up against it Griffis had taken to patronising shows, selling balloons and that sort of thing and got in with' a class that was not good for him. He was a married man with a wife and child. The wife was at present living with his frother. The Probation Officer’s report was not good, but counsel thought that, in this case, probation might be extended on strict conditions and the prisoner kept under surveillance to mako certain ho dissociated himself from undesirable characters.

His Honor (to the prisoner) : “The Probation Officer’s report is not favorable, but I have further discussed the case with him, because I feel down in the bottom of my heart that there is still a' 5 chance for you. The reason I want to give you a chance is; because I think you have had more than your share of bad nick. Probably there is an element of risk m what I propose to do, and it will he said I am allowing my feelings to run away with my head. Still I propose to take that risk. The world has produced wonderful scientists, but never has there been a scientist who could produce a good, honest substitute' for hard work. If you think you are going to get on in lids world without honest, haul work, well you: are backing a ‘stiffun’. You are pinning your hopes on a horsespavin, knocked and a cripple. 1 will give you probation for two years and there will be a condition that you pay the costs of the prosecution in instalments as arranged with The. Probation Officer.”