HELP FOR PRISONER

Taranaki Daily News, 25 July 1929, Page 8

HELP FOR PRISONER

OFFER DIADE BY JUSTICE.

MAN WHOM HE SENTENCED.

The unusual procedure of offering financial help to a young man w’hom he convicted and sentenced’ to imprisonment has been adopted by a Hamilton justice of the peace. The accused, a young Scotsman, was charged in the Hamilton Police Court last Tuesday with being idle and disorderly. He pleaded guilty, but protested that he was not a criminal and would do anything for a livelihood. Stating he did not know what to do with accused, the presiding justice, Air. J. S. Browne, said he and his fellow justice, Air. B. 0. Lowry, were sorry for the young man, but thought it would be best to send him to prison. Accused was sentenced to one month’s

imprisonment, Air. Browne advising him to take the first work that offered when he came out of prison. Considerable interest has been aroused in the ease in Hamilton and one resident has forwarded a sum of money to help the young man. Air. .Browne has enlisted the services of the Anglican City Alission to help accused when he comes out of Alount Eden prison. In a letter to the city missioner, the Rev. Jasper Calder, he states: “At the time I could think of no alternative but to send the man to prison for a term in his own interests—l did- this very reluctantly.” Air. Calder is requested to

try to obtain work for the man and for this purpose, Air. Browne offers to defray all expenses involved.

Air. Calder has agreed to meet the man when he leaves the prison and to help him as far as possible.