COURTS AND OFFENCES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 14 February 1927, Page 8

COURTS AND OFFENCES.

SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT. (.BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATIONJ WELLINGTON. Eeb. 11. In sentencing the actor Zucco, who Was found guilty yesterday of obscene exposure in a picture theatre, the drier Justice, Sir Charles Skerrett, said that probation, punishment by fine, or ordering to come up for sentence when called upon u ere out of the question m the pies; nt ease. The time might come when such offences would be treated curatively. Meanwhile women had to be protected. It must be; remembered that many acts like the accused’s went unpunished becaiise women did not like publicity. He would he doing his duty to the pub.ie, also giving weight to the jury s recommendation if he passed a sentence or six months’ imprisonment, the accused to be kept apart from hardened enminals.

LARGE SUMS OBTAINED BY FRAUD. DUNEDIN, Feb. 11. At the Supreme Court, Mr Justice Reed sentenced George Thomas Swann to three years’ hard labour on foul' charges of false prtences. Mr Hanlon in a plea for leniency, stated that it had been said that sums totalling .£20,000 were involved, but a search of the books and papers showed at- the most £6OOO or £7OOO. The accused came to New Zealand as a- youth in 1893, and later went into the sawmaking business. He bewail to obtain advances in small sums For investment, and the apparent ease with which these were obtained led lum to gatheV in larger sums from fraudulent investment until, becoming seriously involved, he began “robbing Peter to pav Paul.” Matters became so involved that in 1925 his nervous state caused him to enter a mental hospital, where he remained enrht months, then proceeding to Australia. The Crown. Prosecutor stated that from the list, compiled £20,000 was the sum believed to he involved. It was a mvsterv where tlio sum liad disappeared, and the court was without an explanation on this point. The judge stated that the prisoner went, deliberately to work, ingratiating '"'mself and establishing confidence, ft was. his duty to inflict a heavy penalty. MORE DUNEDIN CASES. DUNEDIN. Feb. 11. At the Supreme Court, Howard Beec.liam Pattrick, a sharebroker was charged with theft 'and was admitted to two years’ probation on the condition that lie paid the costs. It was stated that arrangements had been made for (restitution of the, sum involved (£690). Albert Harris, for receiving stolen property, was sentenced to two yeans’ hard labour.

William Alfred Ritchie, for theft o; a. postal packet, failed to answer bai and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

WOMAN FINED FOR SHOP LIFTING.

AUCKLAND, Feb. 11

Elizabeth May Stewart, aged 33, sat and wept in the Police Court as she was charged with stealing a pair of shoes, valued at 5.5, the property of the K. K. Footwear Company, a lady’s skirt valued at 19s lid from Milne and Ghoyce, and a woollen costume and a pai,r of child’s rompers from the shop of Rendell’s, Ltd. Accused pleaded guilty to all the charges. Chief-Detective Cummings said that Mrs Stewart.went into three shops and stole the articles mentioned. At Milne and Choyce’s her. child removed the skirt from the Counter, accused placing it in her bag. Accused was the wife of a farm labourer, and had three young children. She came to the city recently from the Bay of Plenty with a relative who was ill. Accused, who had never previously been in any trouble, was not arrested as she had a young child with her. / Mr Singer, in asking that Mrs Stewart should be leniently dealt with, said she was in ilhhealth and that probably might account for the offences being committed.

The magistrate, Mr McKean, said he did not -wish to send the -woman to prison in view of her condition. She would be fined £3 and costs on one of the charges.

FOUR FARMERS FINED. ASHBURTON, Feb. 11. At the Magistrate’s Court four farmers were prosecuted for failing to clear their land of Californian thistles. Counsel said curative measures would leave defendants bankrupt. The inspector stated that some people held the Aet up to ridicule and it seemed it paid the farmers better to be fined than to do the necessary work. The growing of Algerian oats was a cure for thistles. The inspector said patches of thistles could be cut out., but the whole wheat crop was affected. '' This county is supposed to be the granary of New Zealand,” he added, “and it is not a matter of the effect, on the present generation but on the next. Of course the crop would be ruined. Two of the defendants were fined £.lO each, the third £5 and the fourth £2. A YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT FOR NEGLIGENT DRIVING. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 11. In the Supreme Court, William Henry Denham was sentenced to a year in gaol on charges of having, by negligently driving, killed two people who were passengers in his car while coming from the Riecarton races on November 6. Mr Justice Adams said: “Such aman is- a constant menace to the lives, limbs, and property of citizens using the King’s highway, and I cannot take any other but a grave view of his offence. Tt is impossible for me to l>e influenced by the feelings of compassions.” A CLERK CHARGED WITH THEFT HAMILTON. Feb. 11. James Frederick Rapson, a young clerk employed in the Government sawmill at Fran.kton, was charged Ibis morning with the theft of £4 7s 9d. It was stated that, the total sum involved was about £374, but much of it was in non-negotiable cheques since recovered. The sum i,n cash alleged to have been stolen was about £2O. The senior sergeant said other 'barges were pending, and a remand was granted till Wednesday, bail being allowed at one suretv of £IOO.