GRADUALLY LESSENING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 19 October 1937, Page 8

GRADUALLY LESSENING

SERIOUS CRIME IN NEW ZEALAND WELLINGTON SUPREME COURT lliv Telegraph I’rens ApßneLtionl WELLINGTON, 18th October. A gradual lessening in serious crime in New Zealand was noted by Mr Justice Reed in bis charge to the Grand Jury at the opening of the Supreme Court criminal sessions. A late committal from the Magistrate's Court brought Wellington’s total to two prisoners for the session—thereby destroying a probable record—but bis Honour pointed out that that did not definitely indicate an absence of crime in the district, as nineteen prisoners had pleaded guilty in the Magistrate’s Court since last session. His Honour said the Grand Jury would be pleased to hear that it would be troubled by only two cases. That could not be taken as definitely indicating an absence of crime in the district, because since the last session there had been nineteen prisoners who had pleaded guilty. At one time all those prisoners would have been before the Court, so that there would

have been some twenty-one cases for decision. Some years ago, however, prisoners were allowed to enter a plea of guilty in the lower court, so that expense would be saved. Twenty-one crimes tl.cn, were represented in the past quarter. At the same time, there were indications that serious crime in New Zealand was gradually lessening, and that was something for congratulation. The type of crime that was a familiar charge—the negligent use of a motorcar so as to cause death or bodily injury—was, he was pleased to say, absent this session; but, again, that did not show that there was no negligence in the district, because there were no fewer than twelve cases on the civil list in which damage and injuries were alleged to have been caused by the negligence of defendants. The two cases were alleged, forgery of £5 notes and alleged attempted rape. True bills were returned.