SUPREME COURT

Southland Times, Issue 22159, 30 October 1933, Page 8

SUPREME COURT

CHRISTCHURCH SENTENCES. (Per United Press Association.) Christchurch, October 28. An assurance that prisoner would not get much out of crime was given by Mr Justice Reed, when sentencing Albert William Gauntlett for breaking, entering - and theft, to twelve months’ hard, to be followed by twelve months’ reformative. His Honour said it was unfortunate that a man of prisoner’s apparent ability should be in his position. Twelve months’ ago he was convicted of receiving and was hardly out of gaol when he committed his present offence. It was stated that on the last occasion he was before the Court he said he intended to lead a life of crime. If so it was an extremely foolish thing to do. In New Zealand criminals were not allowed to run very long. James Baden Hamilton Pett, who pleaded guilty to theft of corrugated iron valued at £9OO from his employers, was sentenced to two years’ reformative. His Honour said the prisoner appeared to have had a sufficient salary and to have lost the proceeds of his thefts in gambling. For forging a cheque, William Oliver Russell was sentenced to two years’ hard labour and was declared an habitual criminal. Answering a question, prisoner said he had been out of gaol only a few days when he committed his last crime. “Society must be protected from this sort of thing,” said his Honour.

For housebreaking and theft, Kenneth Joyce Murray received six months and Percy John Irving eighteen months. SUBSTANTIAL CLAIM. (Per United Press Association.) Dunedin, October 28. In the Supreme Court to-day the hearing was concluded of the case in which Robert Larkins claimed from the Love Construction Company £1912 11/- damages arising out of a motor collision in which the plaintiff was injured. The jury answering the issues submitted to it found a verdict for plaintiff for £1271 11/-. Counsel for the defendant company contended that according to the answer to one issue defendant was entitled to judgment. Mr Justice Kennedy accepted the motions for judgment from both parties and will hear argument at a date to be fixed.

COUNTERFEITER GAOLED. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, October 28. On a charge of being in possession on September 17 of three moulds intended for the making of 2/- pieces a Russian, George Sargiff, aged 42, was adjudged guilty by a jury in the Supreme Court and sentenced to three year’s hard labour. Sargiff had pleaded not guilty.