THEFT FROM CLERGYMAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18016, 15 February 1922, Page 8

THEFT FROM CLERGYMAN.

A PLEA FOR LENIENCY. JUDGE GRANTS REQUEST. [BY telegraph.—peess association.] CHBISTCHDRCH. Tuesday. At the Supremo Court to-day Jeremiah Bradley and Francis Qiiigley came up for sentence on charges of having stolen £136 17s 6d |ind a leather wallet belonging to the Rev. J. F. Wiseman, of Ashburton. Mr. Donnelly, Crown Prosecutor, said it seemed certain that tho act in both cases was not premediated. Both men were hard working and had respectable relations, and he thought ho was justified in submitting a letter from Mr. Wiseman indicating the view which he took. Mr. Wiseman said he sincerely hopod both men would be admitted to probation. It seemed from the view taken by Mr. Wiseman and the probation officer that the cases were those in which probation might bo given. Mr. Justice Adams: I have considered these casts, and f desire to say it is a pleasant and creditable thing to find a prosecutor who has been deprived of a considerable sum of money taking the attitude of Mr. Wiseman in this case. I think both cases aro such that the provisions of the Probation Act may be prudently and wisely applied. Both of these men appear to owo their presont position to indulgence in drink. The prisoners were each admitted to throo years' probation with a special provision that each should take a prohibition order out against himself for three yearß, the order to bo renewed annually. It was stated that the full sum had been returned to Mr. Wiseman.