MAKING THE PACE

NZ Truth, Issue 1062, 1 April 1926, Page 5

MAKING THE PACE

_ — ♦■ ■■■■ Lee's Career Ruined LIFE AT TE KUITI! (From "Truth's" Special Auckland Rep.) It has been. said that the trend of __ modern 'education is to cram the mind with knowledge at the expense of thought. Too many cases would appear to crop up which bear this" contention out. In the case of Cyril Raymond Lee a brilliant scholastic career had done nothing better' for him than to turn his head m the direction of smart clothes and flash companions. In asking for' the leniency of the Court to be extended to Lee at the Auckland Supreme Court, last week, Mr. Allan Moody waxed eloquent. Leo stood m the dock under the stern gaze of- Mr. Justice Herdnian. charged with forgery and uttering at Te" Kuiti. •'This youth is only 18," said counsel, "and he stands on the. threshold.of his, career. He has had a brflliant scholastic careertoo brilliant perhapsr— and/it seems to have turned his head. "After leaving college he went to work m a bank at Te Kuiti.: He found it hard to- keep" up to the traditional life of the town. ■ . ■ ' "He was discharged from the bank for some reason and. then i started issuing valueless cheques." His Honor commented on the fact that the probation officer's report was not favorable. Counsel hastened to place before the Judge letters from Lee's former school-" master and a parson who spoke highly of him. / His fault was that he was easily led and was not wise m his choice of companions. " His Honor asked what restitution had been made and was told that Lee bad bee v n m gaol for a month awaiting trial. A relative went, into the box to express his ■willingness to give the accused ,\vork on his farm and pay him 30/- a week. . Finally the Judge decided to • postpone sentence until the July sittings of the Supreme Court. Meanwhile it would be noted how the accused behaved, and what efforts he made m the way of restitution. "If you behave, you may then be given your liberty, but you have com.r mittcd a series of different offences of forgery and false pretences. "you have time after time shown that you are dishonest. 1 jJo not know if it is a lapse or constitutional dishonesty. To sentence . you to' reformative treatment „ means that you will have, to associate with criminals. "IE your conduct is not satisfactory you will go to prison." Lee, who stood throughout the Court proceedings with bent head, appeared to feel his position acutely. It is a day he will remember, for . later he stood m the dock at the Magistrate's Court on another charge involving £2 and false pretences. This charge was also held over pending his reappearance before the Judge next July. . ' '