SHEEP STOLEN

Northern Advocate, 26 July 1935, Page 6

SHEEP STOLEN

HAMILTON SENTENCED 18 MONTHS’ GAOL. HIS HONOUR’S COMMENT. [Special to “Northern Advocate.”} AUCKLAND, This Day. Sentence of 18 .months’ gaol with hard labour was passed by Mr Justice Fair today on William Reginald Hamilton, aged 35, who pleaded guilty to charges of stealing eight sheep, the property of a farmer in the Whangarei district. He shot the sheep and used the meat to supply men working under contract for him in a bushfelling camp.

Mr A. K. Turner, who appeared for Hamilton, said that he was aware that sheep stealing was considered a serious crime in New Zealand. However, Hamilton fell into the temptation of shooting the sheep to feed his men. He was well-known in the district as a ’hard worker ’ and the owner of the sheep was. willing to employ him after he had carried out ‘the sentence of the Court. If the Court saw its way to extend leniency to the man he would become a useful citizen.

The Crown Prosecutor, "Mr V, N. Hubble, reminded the Judge that accused was in charge of a number of men when he committed thel offenceS? The seriousness of the crime was aggravated by its being committed by a man in a responsible position. “I am anxious to give a man who intends to turn over a new leaf an opportunity to do so,” said his Honour, “but sheep stealing is, in almost every case, a serious offence, because it is difficult to detect. It is aggravated by a man in your position. Your case is particularly serious, as you had a number of young Maoris under your charge in your camp. You tried to persuade others to join you in stealing and it is to their credit that they refused. “The* report of your character and general reputation does not assist me to let you off lightly,” said his Honour. ‘T propose to sentence you to 18 months’ imprisonment with hard labour.” POTTER DISCHARGED. ISpecial to “Northern Acvocate AUCKLAND, This Day. Following upon the Judge’s summing up in the case in which William Albert Potter was charged on two counts with the theft of sheep at Puhipuhi and two alternative charges of receiving, the jury retired for 2| hours and returned with a verdict of not guilty. Accused was discharged.