UNDESIRABLES FILTER INTO NEW ZEALAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 99, 18 July 1927, Page 9

UNDESIRABLES FILTER INTO NEW ZEALAND

THEFT AND FORGERY NEW ARRIVALS’ BAD START T HAT alon 9 with the reputable immigrants from the Mother Country an undesirable element is also finding its way into the Dominion, according to evidence given at the Supreme Court this morning, when two recent arrivals appeared before his Honour Mr. Justice Herdman to answer crimes of dishonesty. Asked if he had anything to say before sentence was passed, Thomas Hughes, a well-dressed young man, who had been convicted on charges of forgery, uttering and theft, made a well-worded appeal for another chance. Prisoner said he had been in custody in Australia and New Zealand for 14 months, and had had an opportunity of reflecting on his misdeeds. He had come to the conclusion that the path of crime was not a wise one to take, and if given another chance he would return to England, where his people were in business, and would help him to make good. His Honour said he was not satisfied. There was a certain class of man coming out, he said, who no sooner arrived than he commenced to lead a life of crime. Prisoner had been convicted in Australia on the charges mentioned, rid on arriving at Auckland had forged cheques to the value of £3OO. A sentence of two years’ imprisonment with hard labour was imposed. A BAD START Henry Hurst O’Connor, who appeared for sentence on twelve charges of theft from a dwelling, was described as a new arrival who had been assisted out to New Zealand under the public school boys’ scheme. His Honour said prisoner was only 19 years of age and had arrived in the country the previous year. Shortly after his arrival he committed theft in Wellington and was admitted to probation. Coming to Auckland he had committed no fewer than twelve thefts. In the first instance prisoner had been leniently dealt with, said his Honour,,but apparently it had served no good purpose. Prisoner was ordered to be detained for two years in the Borstal Institute.