SMILE FROM THE DOCK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18016, 15 February 1922, Page 9

SMILE FROM THE DOCK.

PROBATION A SERIOUS MATTER.

John Asher. who had been found guilty at the Wellington Supreme Court last woek on a charge of attempted theft on the waterfront, and who came up for sentence on Saturday before Mr, Justice Hosking and waa observed to smile while His Honor was admitting him to probation and wag therefore Btood down, appeared before the Judge again on Monday. " I thought it possible," said His Honor, addressing the prisoner, " you were not aware of the nature of tho restraint imposed on you undor the Probation Act. Maybe you regarded the restraint you do come under as somewhat light. In order that you may understand your position, I will read you the statutory provisions of the Act," His Honor then read the long list of conditions to be observed by the offender admitted to probation, and added that, further, the order would require that the prisoner in this case should not go on a racecourse or bet on horse races, and that he should give a monthly account of his earnings, and pav the coats of the prosecution. His Honor further added that the prisoner would have to find sureties for his good behaviour—a small sum of £50. The Judge then admitted Asher to probation for three years, on the conditions stated in addition to the statutory provisions,