A HARD SENTENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1926, 23 August 1888, Page 2

A HARD SENTENCE.

It is to be regretted that Judge] Williams did not temper mercy with his i justice when sentencing the unfortunate young woman Sophia Kidd, to twelve months' hard labor for cattle stealing. The offence was great no doubt, but the circumstances would have warranted a less heavy sentence. The provisions of the First Offender's Act might very well have been used in this case. It must be acknowledged that the difficulties of convicting the accused were very great, and a second jury had to hear the case to decide whether she were guilty or not. The penalty the girl has already paid for her raßh act might have boon taken into account along with the recommonda tion of the Jury to extend clemency to the prisoner. It is not a common occurrence to pass sentence on a female cattle lifter, and a lighter sentence might have had as much effect on young women in the future, who might be inclined to follow in Sophia Kidd's mistaken footsteps. Perhaps the magnitude of the crime did not come to her mind when first she entered on the project, but certain it is, she has paid a severe penalty for her first lapse from sterling honesty. As a horsewoman, Miss Kidd waß well known in Southland. In show rings and acroes country her daring and equestrian skill were never questioned. Under the circumstances which have landed her in a convict cell, her horsemanship was displayed to a degree that might call forth admiration had it been used in a worthy cause. Single-handed she rounded up and drove a long distance a large herd of cattle, by no means quiet or used to bo driven, and successfully yarded and sold them. The feat was one which an expert stockman would have thought highly creditable, but this strong willed young woman thought nothing of it. A woman with her nerve and physical strength to fall fainting in the dock shows how she came to realise her position, and doubtless she keenly rues her illegal and criminal esoapade which has brought so much dishonor upon herself and her family.