A PAIR OF VAGABONDS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 10365, 24 May 1905, Page 2

A PAIR OF VAGABONDS.

(Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, this day. At the Supreme Court Robert Smith, aged about. 28, pleaded not guilty to forging a cheque for £12 7s m the name of Wm, John Gribbin, a Waikato farmer, and passing it off on Ernest James Ralph Smith m settlement of v bill at the National hotel at Cambridge and getting £5 12s 6d change. He was defended by Mr J. R. Lundon. A Dunedin youth named Laurie Smith, alias Lyons, who was represented by Mr J. C. Martin, pleaded guilty to assisting to pass off the cheque, and gave King's evidence. At the opening of the case against Robt. Smith, the Crown Prosecutor said accused many years ago worked m Wellington for the father of the younger accused, Laurie Lyons, whom lie persuaded at the age of 15 or 16 years to leave his parents and travel with him. They seemed to have led a vagabond life m various roles throughout the colony, and m time gravitated to the farm of William John Gribbin, between Cambridge and Hamilton, who employed them, believing them to be brothers. The cheque for £12 7s produced was never given by him to either of the men, and his name on it was a forgery. After several witnesses had given evidence, Laurie Smith was examined, and was cross-examined with considerable vigor by Mr J. R. Lundon. His Honor, addressing the jury, said : '"If you can believe the defence put forward by the prisoner, then God help the country." The jury found the accused guilty. His Honor said without excusing the younger boy he was convinced that the .prisoner had a big hand m leading the young rascal astray. He was liable to imprisonment for life, but of course that long; sentence would not be imposed, although the sentence must be sufficient to teach him that this sort of thing would not do. A sentence of three years was passed. In regard to the boy Laurie Smith, his Honor said that he was.jn a sense a first offender, and he would therefore ask the probation officer to report on him next Monday.