MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5913, 27 April 1887, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

This Day. (Before E. Beetham, Esq., E.M., and E. Westenra, Esq.) Probation Act. — Frederick William Parker was charged with failing to comply with a certain section of the Probation Act by not reporting himself once a month to the Probation Officer, Mr Donaldson. This officer reported that accused had reported himaolf four times, but had omitted to do so again. He had been drinking. His time ran out at the end of May. Otherwise the man had conducted himself in a satisfactory manner. Accused said he would become a total abstainer. The Bench said that the accused had failed to take warning by the position he was placed in as a probationer. He had committed six acts of embezzlement, and had been sentenced to a month's imprisonment on each charge, the sentences to be cumulative. He was then released on probation, he having represented that it was by reason of hia having given way to drink that he had committed the offences. His release on probation was under certain conditions, which were light and easily fulfilled. He was a first offender, and the object in releasing him on probation wa3 twofold, and in the mind of the Magistrate was specially applicable to such a case as accused's. He, by the provisions of the Act, was spared from contamination with felons, and when his sentence expired he 1 was spared the shame of having been in. gaol. However, he had broken the 12th Section of the Act, and by failing to comply with that section he had rendered himself liable to be imprisoned for six months, the full time of his original sentence, withcut counting the period of probation he had undergone. If the Act was to have that good result which it was ] intended by the Legislature to work, its ! conditions must be strictly carried out, and I those sections under which offenders were released must be considered as an act of grace and strictly adhered to. The BeEch did not think they would be doing their duty if they neglected to show ; the accused, and others through him, what a breach of the conditions of the Act would entail. He had rendered himself liable to a term of imprisonment, but they would take a lenient view of the case, and sentence him to 33 days' imprisonment, i «., up to the expiration of his term of probation, 30th May. They hoped the j lesson would be a warning to him to keep away from drink for the future. | Civil Cases. — Bryenton v. O'Malley, claim £3 Is. Judgment by default. — Avon Eoad Board v. Goodman, claim 17s 6d. Judgment by default. — Same v. Hawkin, claim £S 7s 7d. Judgment by default. — Holmes and Blake v. Blakeway ; adjourned to May 4.— Hall v. Philpot, claim £4, 155. Judgment for plaintiff for £1 10 a and costs.