SUPREME COURT

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14614, 15 March 1921, Page 5

SUPREME COURT

HAMILTON SITTINGS. SMALL CRIMINAL CALENDAR. The quarterly sittings of the Supreme Court, Hamilton, opened to-day before Mr Justice Hosking. The criminal calendar was very small, only three oases being down for trial, one prisoner appearing for sentence. These were a Maori named Nere Nere, charged with theft at Rotorua, a native named Wi Martin, with several aliases, for forgery at Rotorua, and a European named Arthur Clifford St. Clair Isbejster, for false pretences at Te Awamutu. In Ids charge to the Grand Jury His Honor briefly reviewed the evidence and thought the jury would have-little difficulty in returning true bills in each case. True bills were found in each case. A boy in short trousers pleaded guilty to the theft of £3 7s lOd from the Cambridge post office. Prisoner wa s a telegraph messenger at the time of the theft, and Mr S. Lewis, who p'caded on his behalf, said he was only 16 at the time of the commission of the offence. The boy was inordinately fond of sweets and his act was the outcome of a sudden desire/to repay the constant “treats” he had received from, toy friends. His Honor: A prohibition order mighl bo a good thing. (Laughter.) Mr Lewis added that the boy had since proved diligent and reliable and counsel understood that the probation officer's report was entirely favourable. Counsel asked,that the provisions of the Benevolent Legislation Act of last session be applied in tills case, whereby a pi Isoner could, at the judge’s discretion, be dismissed at any stage of the trial. His Honor said ho did not feel inclined t-> take such a step in this case, as a dismissal of that kind did not leave anything for the prisoner to reflect upon. He would put prisoner on probation for 1? months, and his earnings for,-some time must go to pay the expenses of the prosecution. His Honor made an order, on Mr Lf wis’ application, that prisoner’s name should not be published.