TWO PRISONERS SENTENCED

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21418, 9 March 1935, Page 8

TWO PRISONERS SENTENCED

breaking and entering CHARGES Two prisoners appeared for sentenc in the Supreme Court yesterday befor Mr Justice Johnston. They were Edwii Harold Gunther, aged 22, and Willian Throp Townend, aged 35, who wer jointly charged on counts of breakin; and entering a dwelling-house by da> with theft, while Gunther was alsi charged on one count of breaking am entering a dwelling-house by day, wi'.l theft. Townend was represented by Mr D W. Russell, Gunther by Mr W. J Hunter, while Mr A. W. Brown ap peared for the Crown. Mr Hunter said that the circum stances of Gunther's early life hat been unfortunate, his lather havin; died before his birth. His mother wa a cook, and had been unable to hav< her son with her. At the age of 18 hi was in very serious trouble with '< gang, but his part was only a mino: one. However, he was sent to th< Borstal Institution at Invercargill fo; three years, and was released in June 1933. Since then he had made strong efforts to live honestly. Tne crime foi which he came up for sentence wa: the result of a sudden temptation, bu counsel submitted that it was largely due to the effect on his character o intermittent employment. The plan o. combining with Townend to break inlc the other house was more stupid thar seriously criminal. Gunther's recollections of the Borstal Institution were extremely unhappy and the system hac apparently failed to benefit him. U the prisoner's wish could have any effect, he preferred to go to prisor rather than be sent to a Borstal institution. Mr Russell said that Townend. in the 18 years he had been in New Zealand, had never been in trouble. Hehad been employed as a barman at Dunedin, and had a reputation of being dependable and honest. During the last six months he had been unemployed. On the morning of the offence Townend and Gunther had a number of drinks. It was to Townend's credit that at the second house to which they had gone he became ashamed of his conduct and went away. A clergyman in Christchurch was taking an interest an Townend and had hopes of obtaining employment for him. In sentencing Gunther to two years' imprisonment at the Borstal Institution at Waikeria, his Honour said he did not think much sympathy should | be wasted on him, nor did he think it necessary to consider his wish to go to prison rather than to a Borstal institution. It was obvious that Townend would have to be very careful in future. He would be admitted to probation for two years, a special condition being that he abstained from intoxicating liquor.