“A DEPLORABLE LIST”

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 34, 3 May 1927, Page 9

“A DEPLORABLE LIST”

OPENING OF CRIMINAL SESSIONS “LACK OF PARENTAL CONTROL” A lack of parental control is one of the reasons advanced by Mr. Justice Stringer for the increase of sexual crime and of juvenile criminality.

“X am sorry to say there is a deplorably long list in the present calendar, he said in his address to the Grand Jury at the opening of the Supreme Court criminal sessions this morning, when he and Mr. Justice Herdman presided. “The conspicuous and deplorable number of sexual cases is foremost. It certainly seems to me that there is a terrible lack of control of young girls of 15 years or so who are allowed to wander about the streets picking up with young men. The tendency toward juvenile criminality is a grievous state of affairs. There are also a large number of the usual cases of dishonesty whicli need no explanation.” His Honour continued by stating that the details of most of the other sexual cases were so disgusting that there was no need to go into them. He dealt with the remainder of the cases, and expressed the opinion that, in most instances, the charges were quite simple and that true bills should be returned. The Grand Jury empanelled was as follows:—W. Parkinson (foreman), S. McGowan, A. McColl, N. B. Levien, G. Henning, W. Harrison, H. McK. Geddes, A. T. Garlick, S. C. W. Coldieutt, A. Burns, F. A. Brown. E. Ash-

ton, W. S. Mackay, G. W. Spragg, A. Skinner, J. S. Russell, W. J. Reid and J. R. Warnock. THREE MONTHS’ GAOL Described by Mr. Paterson, for the Crown, as not being the master mind, William Caple (Mr. Matthews), appeared for sentence on charges of breaking, entering and theft. Mr. Matthews said the prisoner had come under the influence of a man who was later to come for trial, and although he had been in trouble before, he had made several attempts to go straight. His Honour said that, taking the circumstances into consideration, he would impose a sentence of three months’ imprisonment with hard labour. GIVEN A CHANCE Having been out of trouble for 15 years, Christopher John Taylor was given a chance to make good when His Honour admitted him to probation for four years for false pretences and theft. His Honour said the case justified probation with the special clauses that the prisoner pay the costs and make restitution, at t£ie rate of £1 a week.