"PERJURY RAMPANT."

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10769, 15 May 1913, Page 2

"PERJURY RAMPANT."

A CAB-DRIVER SENTENCED AT SUPREME COURT. REMARKS BY JUDGE DENNTSTON. "I would like to give this man a chance," said his Honor Mr Justice Denniston, in sentencing Arthur William Rait, who had been convicted of perjury in connection with, evidence which ha gave at an inquest held before Mr H. W. Bishop, S;M., coroner, on March 29, touching the death, of one William Kennedy. "He has a wife and family dependent on him," said Mr F. W. Johnston, counsel for prisoner, " and one of the children is only six weeks old. These considerations, undoubtedly, wrongfully, influenced him in committing the crime of which he has been found guilty. He has had sufficient experience of prison life now to apt on him as a deterrent, for he has passed a sleepless night in the cells. I would a«k your Honor for probation in his case." "I would admit him to probation if I could," said his Honor. " Rut he has been convicted of wilful and corrupt perjury. Perjury is rampant in the country. Everyone has to recognise that, in administering justice, it is treated in the .very lightest way. It would be a serious thing to allow it to be thought that a man could commit perjury with impunity. I regret having to sentence this man, but I cannot allow it to be thought'that a man can commit perjury and esoape by probation. I will treat the present oaa© as leniently as I can, and will impose a sentence which is not a usual one for perjury. The prisoner will be sentenced to four months' imprisonment, and it may be thought that I have treated him with dangerous leniency."