SUPREME COURT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17067, 27 July 1917, Page 7

SUPREME COURT

His Honor Mr Justico Sim held a sitting of the Supremo Court yesterday morning, tho business being mainly confined to the sentencing of prisoners who had pleaded guilty to offences against them. Tho first prisoner was Thomas Henry Koskdly, his offences (two in number) being that he had indecently assaulted a female. Mr Baron, who appeared for prisoner, stilted that Jloskelly was 16 years of ago. His parente woro very" respectable, and his father had been in constant employment lor many years. Until recently the boy had been very good, and had always brought homo his wages. Ho had gone into the country, and since his return hia fathor and mother had informed counsel that his conduct had been very unsatisfactory. Ho had been in the habit of going out a great deal at night, and his parents did not care about the class of company he kept. Counsel did not think the prisoner quito appreciated tho gravity of the offences he had committed. His mental capacity seemed to bo below normal, and counsel asked his Honor to consider whether reformative tr.utmont would not bo preferable to sending the prisoner to gaol. His Honor sontenced the prisoner to six months' imprisonment on each charge, the sentences to_ bo concurrent, and ordered that he bo detained for reformative treatment thereafter for a term not exceeding five years.

William Hanning- was brought u,p for sentence for breaking and entering- a store at night and with stealing therefrom. His Honor said the police report disclosed that prisoner had been convicted on previous occasions. He asked if. the prisoner admitted the convictions on the list.

Mr Ramsay, who appeared for tihe Crown, stated that the prisoner admitted that the list was accurate.

His Honor said tho probation officer's report made a recommendation that prisoner be detained for reformative treatment. Mr Ramsay stated that th« Superintendent of Burnham School was of tho opinion that prisoner should bo sent to Invercargill Gaol. Ho had several times absconded from the homo. His age was 18 years. His Honor said tho prisoner would be sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour, and be detained thereafter for reformative treatment for -a term not exceeding five years.

Tasman "William Wilson appeared for sentence on five charges of breaking and entering.

Mr Ramsay stated that in addition to these charges the prisoner (quite a young man) had admitted having broken and entered North's brush factory. The premises were unoccupied at the time, and prisoner had not stolen anything except two postage stamps. The lock of the safe, however, showed of having been tampered with, and papers on the desk had been interfered with.

His Honor sentenced prisoner to six months' imprisonment on each charge, the sentences to.be cumulative, and also ordered that the prisoner be detained for reformative treatment for a term not exceeding five years afterwards. Mr Ramsay said Tie presumed that would mean Invercargill Gaol. His Honor replied that was a matter for tho authorities. The court did not fix the gaol.

His Honor then dealt with the following Banco matters:—

James Milne, deceased (Mime v. Cun-ning-ham and others). —Summons for order for provision for daughters.—Mr Payno and Mr Brasch for plaintiff, and Mr Adams and Mr Smith for defendants.—After argument judgment was reserved.

Black t. Black (in divorce).—Motion for decree absolute and for custody of child.— Mr_ Adams appeared for petitioner.—Decree nisi made absolute, and order made for custody of child

Walsh v. Walsh (in divorce).—Motion for decree absolute and custody.—Mr Hay for petitioner.—Decree made absolute and custody granted.