DIFFICULT CASE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 291, 6 November 1934, Page 2

DIFFICULT CASE.

MAORI WOMAN IN COURT

Per Press Association

WELLINGTON, Nov. 5. Difficulties in the way of dealing with a prisoner resulting from what he said seemed to him to be serious defects in the Mental Defectives Act, 1911, in its relation to the Crimes Act, were mentioned by the Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers) in the Supremo Court to-day when a Maori woman was placed in the dock for sentence on a charge of arson. Mr Macassey (Crown Prosecutor) said the woman was in the dock for sentence.

Sir Michael Myers stated that he was told on Friday that she was not fit to come up for sentence, and to-day that slie was.

Evidence was given by Dr "Williams, superintendent of the Porirua Mental Hospital, that tlie woman’s condition varied very quickly. The Chief Justice said he did not think accused should be sent to prison, and he admitted her to probation for twelve months, thus placing the responsibility for her welfare on the authorities.

Mr Macassey said that application would be made for the woman’s committal to a mental institution, Sir Michael Myers remarking that if the woman were committable under the Mental Defectives Act, he had ' not power to commit her.' As he had said, the x-esponsibility for her being looked after must rest with the authorities.