LENIENCY EXTENDED

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11877, 23 February 1933, Page 7

LENIENCY EXTENDED

PROBATION FOR YOUNG MAORI

TE KAHA CASE CONCLUDES

Stating that he would give full effect to the recommendation of leniency made by the jury, His Honor Air Justice Blair, in the Supreme Court yesterday, placed' Ivurei Kingi, 18, on probation for a term of' three years. On the previous day Kingi was found guilty of indecent assault on a Alaori girl aged 15. at Te Ivaha- on January 2. Mr J. S. Wauchop, on behalf of the prisoner, stated that lie felt lie would be failing in his duty if he did not point out that the prisoner was little more than a child both in years and in intellect. As a Native he labored under handicaps which had been removed from pakehas through many years past. Fakehas had grown used to the repression and prohibition which might impose n severe strain on a Alaori. Apparently accused gave way to sudden temptation and, .yen though the probation officer’s report was adverse, counsel would ask for leniency and that he he placed on probation for a lengthy term rather than sent to prison which might have a hardening effect on him. Addressing the prisoner, Hi.s Honor pointed out that the u’sual punishment for such an offence w-as at least two years in Borstal. He intended to assume in accused's favor, however, that he had not appreciated the ' .ill gravity of the offence and would g’vo full weight to the jury's recommendation of leniency.

The prisoner was admitted to probation fpr a term of three years, with the special condition that he work on his father’s farm during that- term, unless the probation officer considered any other course advisable. He was also ordered to pay £lO towards the cost of the prosecution, this sum to he paid during his term of probation.