PRISONERS SENTENCED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16234, 20 May 1916, Page 9

PRISONERS SENTENCED

THREE YOUNG OFFENDERS.

PROBATION FOR A MAORI.

Three prisoners, including a Maori youth, appeared for sentence before His Honor Mr. Justice Cooper at the Supreme Court yesterday. The Hon. J. A. Tole, K.C., appeared in his capacity as Crown Solicitor.

Ruku Tanpaki Katete appeared in con nection with a charge of attempted forgery and uttering at Rawene.

• Mr. Tole' said the prisoner was described as a bush labourer. He was 16£ years of age. The report of the probation officer was entirely favourable to Katete.

His Honor said that, as it was the prisoner's first offence, he would admit him to probation for . a period of two years. As part of the conditions attaching to his probation, the prisoner was ordered not to frequent hotels or billiard saloons. He was also ordered to pay the costs of the prosecution, totalling £5. William Venice Aitken (Mr. A. E. Skelton), a tinsmith aged 19 years, appeared on two charges of breaking, entering and theft, and George Edward Dickman, a coppersmith, aged 17 years, appeared on four charges in connection with the same offence, which took place at Auckland.

Mr. Skeiton said that Aitken was the victim of most unfortunate circumstances.

His family's history was distressing, his father having been charged with a very serious crime. The prisoner had been in a mental hospital for a period of one year. His Honor said the probation officer had recommended that Aitken be remanded, in order that he could be under medical observation in respect to his mental condition. The probation officer pointed out in his report that the accused was the main support of his mother and his brothers and sisters. Aitken, was remanded for two weeks, in order to be kept under medical observation.

In the case of Dickman, the probation officer's report was unfavourable. He was previously before the Magistrate's Court, and was granted probation, the conditions of which he had broken. Dickman was ordered to be detained for reformative treatment for a period of two years, the Judge recommending him to be sent to the Invercargill Gaol.