CONVENT ROBBERY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 832, 30 July 1910, Page 14

CONVENT ROBBERY.

CASE OF AUGUST REWI WALLACE, PREVIOUS ■ GOOD CHARACTER. •' Sentence- was passed in the. Supremo Court yesterday on four prisoners by his Honour the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout). A. small "scene" which occurred when a prisoner named John Morrjs Schapiro (a foreigner) was sentenced, is reported elsewhere. In each case Mr. H. H. Ostler appeared for the Crown.; ■ ■ : August Rewi Wallace, who was represented by Mr. E. J.. Fitzgibbon; ca'm'e up for sentence on,remand. Prisoner had pleaded guilty to theft of money from the convent at Otalci. _ .His Honour said he had ' received three affidavits—from Mr. Bovau, Mr. Bevan, junior, and Mr. Cotter, all of whom spoke well of. prisoner- s character. : ' Mr. : Ostler remarked that both the Messrs. Bevan were reliable men. The Chief Justice said that, because of the good character the prisoner had hitherto bornej lie would. deal t leniently with him, and would grant him proba-. tion. but he hoped the occurrence would be a lesson to him, and that he would not get. into trouble again He 'would be put under probation for twelve months, and would have. to. report monthly a-s to what lie-was doing. If he was in work .'and was'.believing himself, he' would 'not bo . troubled. Prisoner, was ordered to pay £2 12s. costs within three months. AN OUT-OF-WORK'S OFFENCE. . "NOTHING TO SAY." Alfred John Waiistall, who had pleaded- guilty- at-Ohalrune - to-charges - of breaking and entering and theft, when asked, if he had anything to say, replied,' "Nothing at-all'.". ; The-Chief Justice-said-that-the prisoner had - been, convicted once in ..-tho 1 Magistrate's. Court at Mangaweka and twice •in the Supreme Court at'Wanganui, and once in the-Supreme'Court at Wellington. Oh tho last occasion, which ;ivas in. 1908,' ho - was. sentenced to 18 -months'' imprisonment. If he was convicted again, ho would be liable to an indeterminate sentence.. "Why liave : you ..been continually committing these offerees of breaking - aad. entering and, theft?"; asked his; Honour. - Prisoner: When a man is on tramp with his: swag-and cap't get work in New ; Zealand

His Honour: That .doesn't encourage you to go and steal jewellery. I could understand !a man who was hard up taking food. ' You 'have, been hardly two ■ jcars out of gaol. Seeing that this is.your last' chance, and that you are'a. young man, I shall'deal, leniently with.'you'.- When ydujget out of,prison you should,go to the.Prisoners' Aid Society, and see if they can get. some work "for you and'ltelp you to start life afresh: -You are sentenced to 18 -months', imprisonment -with.. hard labour 'at Wellington.- ■ -.-'-. CRIME OF A'SERIOUS CLASS. ."•'- JUDGE'S 'ADMONITION. ' Kenneth- M'Srcgor, a youth who had pleaded/guilty' at Marton on a charge of. criminal "assault and. had been remanded when up for sentence last-week, in prder:.that certain, inquiries might bo made,"was. represented.'by''Mr.'T. S.. Weston, who stated that two certi-ficates-of his good character'had -been from- his .former schoolmaster and one", from'his employer. His Honour said -that,- -on account of the.prisoner's,youth, he-would admit him'to probation,-although probation was' rarely, granted in connection with that class. of offences.'. Ho would say no more, for tlie prisoner ought now to be able to see'tho position.he had. brought himself into. Our law looked on this class of'offences so seriously that after two such offences, a- prisoner, was liable to receive an indeterminate sentence, and might never get. out of gaol at all. If the prisoner went ob 'invthe .same way'he _would be wrecking-his-life. : • ■••'•- [■■•■;■* ■The prisoner was ordered to be-placed oh probation for, 12 months, and not to' be out after-7 o'clock in the evening during the first ; three.months. No order., was made as to- costs.'