A QUESTION OF PROBATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2761, 13 February 1907, Page 69

A QUESTION OF PROBATION.

WELLINGTON, February 6.

Tho probation problem cropped up in the Supreme Court to-day. George F. Sunderland, who had been convicted on a' charge of false pretence-, applied for probati.in The Crown Prosecutor mentio::edl that there were other charges pending from Christchurch. but whether these shoin'l prejudice prisoner's application he eouUl not say . . Mr Justice Cooper said that inquiries made by tha probation officer had been; satisfactory, and but for the pending cE these charges the officer would hava recommended the granting of probation. The prisoner's character had bo<>a goo<J during his several years' stay in New Zealand, and excellent testimonials had been) given him by the firms which employed! him. His Honor did not think he should!take into consideration, in dealing with +he application for probation, the pending of othor charges, unless, of course, they, were charges of euch a nature as to indicate that tho prisoner m habitual criminal, or of habitual criminal' instincts. Having consideration of tbo strong recommendation to mercy made by the jury, and that it had acquitted accused on the 'major charges of forgery and utter^ ing and that hitherto tho accused hacl apparently been an honeet and respectably man, his Honor thought he was justified in not taking into consideration the othe| charges against prisoner, who was admitte* to probation for 12 months. Sunderlanj was re-arrested as he left the court.