SERIOUS OFFENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 938, 7 December 1933, Page 12

SERIOUS OFFENCE.

Tobacco Smuggled Into Prison. . case viewed by the prison authorities and the Bench as particularly serious was heard in the Magistrate's Court this morning, when Edwin Coupa Gorton, of Worcester Street, was charged with delivering to Reginald William I\ orman, a prisoner at Pa.parua Gaol, a brown paper parcel containing t nn aCC °’ contrar y to the Prisons Act, 1908. Gorton did not appear, and was fined £2 and costs. Warder Lawson said that on the afternoon of October 14 he was in charge of the business of the prison. Gorton came out to see Norman, and in the course of conversation it was noticed that a small brown paper parcel changed hands. Witness informed the Superintendent of the gaol, and a search made subsequently revealed a small brown paper parcel, containing tobacco, which had been hidden. Sub-Inspector Edwards said that an offence of that nature was looked upon as very serious by the prison authorities. “ I only hope that due publicity will be given to this case,” remarked the Magistrate (Mr E. D. Mosley). “I am afraid that a few cases of "this nature are occurring and it is in my knowledge that future cases are going to be dealt with severely. “ Prisoners of good conduct are allowed a certain amount of tobacco if they want it. but tobacco given promiscuously is a danger to the discipline of the prison. If tobacco is slipped through, anything else might be taken into the prison.”