APPEAL MADE

Hokitika Guardian, 1 April 1933, Page 5

APPEAL MADE

LONG SENTENCES

COOK ISLANDERS APPLICATION.

(Per Press Association — Copyright.',

WELLINGTON, March 31

The Court of Appeal to-day heard an appeal of Kairoia Koi a , and Ngaterongo Israle, both of Cook Islands, from sentences of hand labour totalling five years and fifteen years respectively, imposed by the High Court of the Cook Islands.

The first prisoner, while already serving a term of hard labour, with 2£ years to run, escaped from custody, and broke into a store. He was convicted of burglary. He was sentenced to one year’s hard labour. The second prisoner, who was serving a term of hard labour, with 7\ years to run, also escaped, and set fire to the store after burgling it. He was convicted on two charges of burglary and one of arson. He was sentenced to three terms each of five years’ hard labour, his sentences to be cumulative. The case is ~n unusual one, in that both the Grown and the appellants are represented by the Solicitor General, Mr Fair; who stated that the preliminary question for the decision of the Qouvt was whether the Court of Appeal had the power to review the sentences that were imposed in the Cook Islands.

After hearing legal argument, the Court reserved its decision.