CRIME PUNISHED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24972, 15 August 1944, Page 7

CRIME PUNISHED

STILL ON ISLAND TERM OF IMPRISONMENT Prisoners were sentenced by Mr Justice Fair and Mr Justice Callan yesterday. Mr Cleal and Mr G. S. It. Meredith appeared for the Crown. Sentence of nine months' imprisonment was passed by Mr Justice Fair on Clement Robert Lawson (Mr E. 0. Williams), who had been found guilty of being in possession of an unlicensed still on Motuora Island. His Honor said Lawson had a Jonu record of convictions, and there could be no doubt that lie had been actively engaged in preparation for the manufacture of illicit liquor on a very large scale. For having been found in possession of an unlicensed still, Leslie Snow, labourer, aged HI (Mr M. Robinson), was sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour by Mr Justice Callan. On behalf of two Maoris. Henry Lingman, aged 29 (Mr K. 0. Williams), and Waitai Ha are, aged 38 (Mr Sullivan), who appeared before Mr Justice Fair for sentence for assaulting an American sailor so as to cause him actual bodily harm, it was pleaded that each had been much under the influence of drink.

His Honor said this was a very brutal assault, but he was satisfied that Lingman had taken a lesser part in it than Maare. Lingman was released on probation for three years and was ordered to take out prohibition orders against himself, to refrain from parties consuming liquor and to pay £lO toward the costs of the prosecution. There was no kind of excuse for Haare's assault, and he would be sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment. in the case of Margaret Campbell, aged 64, found guilty of unlawfully procuring miscarriage, her counsel, Mr Fraer, pleaded for leniency on the grounds of her age and ill-health. Mr Justice Fair sentenced her to nine months' reformative detention. A pica of guilty to charges of stealing quantities of galvanised spouting, corrugated iron sheets and dowupipos to the value of £l2B, the property of J. •Tones, Limited, was entered by Raymond Frank Davis, motor driver (Mr G. Skelton), before Mr Justice Fair. His Honor said this was a very serious ty|>e of offence committed by a young man in steady employment at a good wage. He was released on probation for three years. Stating that the probation officer's report had been favourable. r Justice Callan released Thomas Edward Donaldson, labourer, aged 42 (Mr Sullivan), on probation for three years on two charges of indecently assaulting a girl 1G years of age.

CAR CONVERSIONS THREE YOUTHS CHARGED FINES AND LENGTHY PROBATION Three 18-year-old youths appeared before Messrs K. Smith and G. N. Christian, J.P.'s. yesterday, on a series of charges of unlawful conversion of motor-cars. There were seven joint charges, involving cars valued at £1835, against Keith William Barker, printer (Mr Terry), and Douglas John Stephens, cabinetmaker (Mr Leonard). There were two furtheiNcharges, concerning cars valued at £6OO, against Barker, and two charges against Frederick Glover (Mr Martelli), involving care valued at £550. Pleas of guilty were entered in each case. Detective-Sergeant Bavlis said the cars were usually abandoned after having been driven about the city and suburbs. The accused had not previously been in trouble, and in each case they had good backgrounds with excellent home conditions. Counsel stressed the youth and previous good records of the three accused. It was pointed out on behalf of Glover that his part in the offences had merely been the acceptance of a ride in a couple of instances. Called by Mr Terry. Dr Alexander Hodge, of the Baptist Tabernacle, said that all three youths were attenders at church, and he had known Barker for eight years. They were all penitent for their actions, and witness was sure that if they were admitted to probation under his guidance they would not offend again. Barker was fined £25, Stephens £2O and Glover £5. In addition each was placed on probation for three years. Applications for the suppression of their names were refused. DIVORCE SOUGHT RETURNED MAN'S CLAIM Alleging adultery against his wife. Annie Robina Robbins, Edward George Robbins (Mr Ford) sought divorce before Mr Justice Fair yesterday. Stanley Austin was named as the co-respon-dent. Mr Ford said there had originally been a claim for £750 damages against the co-respondent, but the petitioner asked to be allowed to abandon that. The petitioner gave evidence that they were married in 1932 and have one child. While lie was away on active service he got letters from his wife saying that she had "run off the track," and admitting that she had been unfaithful with Austin. He had claimed damages because he had made over three life insurance policies to his wife and she had used his savings and his military allotment to set up a house with the co-respondent. An arrangement had been reached for the settlement of this claim. His Honor struck out the claim for damages, and adjourned the hearing for further evidence. RESERVE BANK RETURN STERLING £1,402,781 HIGHER (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Monday The Reserve Bank return for the week ended Monday, August 7, with variations in the figures compared with those in the previous week's statement, is as follows: LIABILITIES Variation £ il Gen. reserve .. 1,300,000 Same Bank notes .. 37,587,586 -100.356 Demand liabilities — State .. .. 10,944,1.50 + 196,093 Banks . . 36,357,056 +261,625 Other . . .. 950,096 -447,039 Other currencies . 68,38.1 +60,400 Other liabilities .. 1,882,318 -7,875 Total . . . 89,320.490 -37.152 ASSETS Reserve — Gold .. .. 2,801,877 Same Sterling Ex. .. 32,250,531 +1,402,781 Subsidiary coin .. 40,575 -582 Advances — Marketing .. 3,947,214 -1,448,756 Other . . .. 35,885,000 Same Investment .. 11,736,055 Same Other assets .. 2,653,244 +9,406 Total . .. 89,320,496 -37,152 Proportion of reserve to notes and other demand liabilities per cent (39.137 last week). The principal items in this week's return are compared with those at the corresponding date last year.in the following table:— (OOO's omitted) 1944 1943 Variation £ £ £ Notes ■ .. 37,588 32,973 +4,615 Deposits—■ State .. 10,944 13,644 - 2,700 Banks . . 36.357 25,095 +11,292 Exchange .. 32,251 26,056 +6,195 Marketing . 3,947 6,840 - 2,893 Other . . 35,885 26.553 +9.032 Ratio (per cent)