YOUNG MEN ADMITTED TO PROBATION.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 8 February 1936, Page 8

YOUNG MEN ADMITTED TO PROBATION.

SEQUEL TO ARSON CHARGE

ONLY PLAYED “MINOR PART,” SAYS JUDGE.

k Two years’ probation, was the sentence imposed on William lan Hankins, ,aged 20, and .John Armand Borlace, aged 20, two city taxi-drivers, when they appeared before Hon. Mr. Justice Blair in the Supreme Court at Palmerston North yesterday. Accused had both been found guilty in separate trials on the charge of arson in respect to a house in College Street and were appearing for sentence, the juries havino- added dstrong recommendations to /mercy.

Mr. T. F. Rolling appeared on behalf of Hankins and Mr t G, Rowe for Borlace.

The former counsel submitted that His Honour had already had the misfortune of having to deal with live similar charges at the sitting and it was recognised that the counts were of a serious nature, ft would be understood, however, that the case against the two young men appearing was in a different category from the others. It was abundantly clear that this was so, and that both accused had been invited to participate in the offence late on the evening of the occurrence, readied his Honour, who added that lie had translated (because the juries had pnade the recommendations) that his ■direction had been accepted that accused wore technically guilty from a ‘legal point of view. He knew that accused were not. the original party or promoters and had played a very minor part.

Counsel proceeded to show that Hankins had always home an excellent character and that nothing had previously beeen known against him. A term of imprisonment might only have an adverse effect.

[ “I have no intention of imposing im prisonment,” said his Honour.

! Mr. Rowe, for BorJace, stated that he felt he had no need to address the Bench; He would leave the matter in the hands of his Honour.

lie did not propose to make any distinctions between the two young men. They had only taken a minor part and ■it was evident that they had succumbed to a sudden suggestion without realising the gravity of the step they were baking. Had they not been called upon Jjy another they would not have had anything to do with the affair.

His Honour decided to treat both cases as a mere sudden succumbing to ( a suggestion and admitted them each to a term of two year’s probation upon the usual terms. A special condition was made that they should pay the cost of the prosecution by instalments.

CHANGE OF VENUE

When the ea.se against Harnld Halt's Hutchison, of Palmerston N, ex-soli-citor and commission agent, who is charged with conspiring with Edwin Hloomfield McGill to commit arson and with counselling and procuring McGill to commit the offence wag mentioned in the Supreme Court at Palmerston North, yesterday, Mr D’. i. McGregor, Hutchison’s counsel, applied for a cliange of venue for the trial to Wanganui. in granting the application, Mr Justice Blair said that as the case would be coming on for trial it would be undesirable to discuss the reasons which had weighed with him in coming to his decision.

Hutchison will appear at the next sittings at Wanganui. He was admitted to bail of £2s'o and two sureties each of £125.