HEAVY CRIMINAL SHEET

Grey River Argus, 3 May 1944, Page 2

HEAVY CRIMINAL SHEET

1 AUCKLAND SUPREME COURT. )p.A. AUCKLAND, May 2. Regret that the criminal calendai in Auckland was much heavier than usual was expressed by Mr. J ustice Fair, addressing the Grand Jury today. On the list were 31 charges against 36 persons, added the Judge. These included two charges of murder, two of negligent driving causing death, seven sexual offences, two of robbery with violence, one of detaining a child from its l aw ‘ ful guardian, three of breaking and entering and theft, eight of theft including one in which the amount of over £1,900 was involved, and seven of sly grog selling. The main cause of the increase m the charge sheet stated the Judge was due to cases relating to manufacture and trafficking in spirituous liquor, brewed illicitly. The shortage of snirits and the htyh profits obtainable from their illegal sale had led to a large increase in that trade which brought in its train lawlessness. immorality and crime. All good citizens must feel the gravest concern that a disreputable section of the community had found such an outlet for its activities, and all must, commend the energetic steps of the police officers to put an end to this traffic