THE COURTS.
MAGISTERIAL. WEI*HESI>AY. (Before Messm J. H. Sfeagar and-F, H. Chri stain, JJP.'s). DRUNKENNESS. 3Sw> fiist ofiandaa and one statutory first offender jvere each convicted and fined 10s, in. default 21 horns' imprisonment. TWO CHARGES. Michael O'Shea pleaded guilty to a, charge of drunkenness and to & further charge of having ctvsi offensive matter in a public place. Accused was convicted and fined lte, in default 34 hours' imprisonment on each charge. IN OTHER PLACES. IMPRISONMENT FOR SEVEN YEARS. (PMSS ASSOCIATION TJSLZG&AM.) | AUCKLAND, November 12.
Sentence of seven years' imprisonment was p«saed> lio-day in the Supreme Court by his Honour Mr Justice Herdman on Benjamin Harrison Sbutes, & seaman from the American steamer "West Islip, who was found guilty of manslaughter, on the ground of provocation in connexion with tho death of Reginald Louis Short, following a stabbing affray in tho Aurora Hotel on the evening of October 10th.
Mr J. McVeagh, counsel for the prisoner, said that Shutes liad contended that he had been hit with a bottlo over the head by Short. Since tho verdict of manslaughter, counsel had received information from, which it seemed not unlikely that tho oocurrence did take place as described in accused's statement. Tho information was that tho unfortunate man Short had, on a previous occasion in a subsequent dispute, threatened to use a bottle.
Mr McVeagh referred to the condition of drunkenness of Shutea at the time of tho stabbing. 110 left the ship in the afternoon with £4, in company with companions. When arrested the next day ho had only £2 in his possession. This represented a, rather hard day's drinking. Shutes had been in the American Navy on tho occasion •of tho visiti to New Zealand in 1908. After leaving the navy' he had followed seafaring. It was not unusual for seamen to carry knives.
Tho Crown Prosecutor (Mr V. R. Meredith) agreed that it was likely that there was something in Shnte's story about the threat of Short to strike him with a bottle. His Honour agreed with the Verdict o! the jury, who had taken a mcrqiful view. The use of a knifo in a British community wafl looked upon with disfavour. People in these countries preferred to rely upon Nature's weapons as efficient and sufficient. To destroy a* man by a knife in a moment of passion or provocation was an offence of extreme gravity. Everything possible had been said, but as the offence was grave, so mußt the punishment be severe. Prisoner's statement to tho police no doubt was wholly true, but however one viewed the affair, & man had been killed with a knife. Prisoner must accept responsibility.
PRISONERS SENTENCED. (press association telegrams.) AUCKLAND, November 12.
Poni Hilo, on three charges of carnal .knowledge, was sentenced to 12 months' reformative treatment. Frederick Morris Due, [or an unnatural offence with a male, was sentenced to three years' reformative. The Judge eaid ithe prisoner indulged in revolting practices. Albert Edward Carpenter, on four charges of forgery, two of uttering, and two of breaking, entering and theft, was sentenced to reformative detention for two years. Accused; had obtained £IOO. PAI/MEKSTOtf N., November 12. In the Supremo Court this morning before his Honour Mr Justice MaoGregor, CharWe Bernsjrd Miller, Frederick McKanley, Johh Rat'hay Dunlop, and Arthur Swain; all four of whom were yesterday found guilty of receiving a stolen quarter-case of whisky a& Napier, were sentenced as follows: —McKinley, Dunlop and Miller, each to two years' hard labour; and Swain to reformative detention for a period nort exceeding two years.
CHINESE AND OPIUM. (fbebs association texjcqbah.) AUCKLAND. November 12. At the Police Court, Frederick Chin, an elderly Chinese, was fined £SO, and An Hum;, £3O, and' two other Chinese £7 and £5 for being in possession of amoving opium.
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Press, Volume LX, Issue 18229, 13 November 1924, Page 10
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628THE COURTS. Press, Volume LX, Issue 18229, 13 November 1924, Page 10
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