AFTER 30 YEARS.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12703, 7 November 1935, Page 7

AFTER 30 YEARS.

AT A GRUB LAPSE FROM GRACE OFFENCES AGATNST GTRLB STX AIONTT-TS’ GAOL Sentence o!' six months’ gaol on oneh of two charges,- the sentences to he cumulative, was imposed on EalAviri Grant, 49, by Air Justice Smith in the Supreme Court yesterday. The prisoner Avas-arraigned on two charges of unlawful carnal knowledge: of gilds under 10 years of age and, when true bills Avere found by the grand jury, he pleaded guilty.

On behalf of accused. Mr A. A. Whitehead stated that he was a returned soldier who served with the Alain Expeditionary Force both on Gallipoli and in Franco. Tie had a list of previous convictions, hut for 00 years past had boon convicted of ho serious crime. For most of his lil'o he had made attempts to go straight Counsel was informed that in regard to the second girl there twas a gravo lack of parental control, as she lived with the. prisoner for several months in Gisborne, and alsoshared the same bed with him in the (Same room where her parents slept. The reason for the prosecution, slated counsel, was the girl’s propensities while in. Gisborne. The prisoner, moreover, had saved the country expense by pleading guilty and also spared the girls the- ordeal of giving evidence. Already he- had been in gaol for two months awaiting the hearing and he had,.proved a very good prisoner.

His Honor remarked that- he had found it difficult to -deal satisfactorily with such cases where the- parties were Maoris. .It appeared there had been lack of parental, control over the- girls concerned, hut he could n-ot admit the prisoner to- probation even though he felt- influenced by the fact that his la.st serious offence iwa-s in 1906. He was a mature man and should refrain from such an offence. On each charge the prisoner would be sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, the terms to bo concurrent.