JUDGE’S STRONG COMMENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 199, 23 July 1937, Page 8

JUDGE’S STRONG COMMENT.

Per Press Association

WELLINGTON, July 22,

A sentence of three years’ irnpnsonmerit was imposed by Mr Justice Reed in the Supreme Court to-n!ight on Rongo Edward Norman Telford, aged 36, a lorry driver, of Trentham, who was found guilty of six charges involving serious offences at Petone. He pleaded not guilty. After the verdict the foreman said the jury considered the demeanour of five of tne witnesses called by the Crown indicated considerable familiarity with the form of vice dealt with in the case and that their future conduct should receive public attention. “It is a shocking state of affairs, and I must agree with the rider of the jury,’’ said His Honour, addressing the prisoner. “I would not be doing my duty if I did not impose a heavy penalty.” Before discharging the jury His Honour said: “I agree with the finding. I think upon the evidence that what has been deposed to has actually taken place. It is a shocking state of affairs. It is an extremely serious thing and points to grave immorality in this particular centre. It is really a shocking state of affairs.”