SUPREME COURT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 271, 5 August 1918, Page 6

SUPREME COURT

PRISONERS SENTENCED

In the Supreme Court, on Saturday morning His Honour tho Chief Justice. (Sir liobert Stout) had before him four prisoners for sentence. Mr. J. l'reudeville, of the Crown Law Office, appeared for the Crown. Violet Kose nopkins, nee Nation, aged 1(5, left her home at Mangamahoc ostensibly for a visit to Masterton, and failing to return, inquiries were made, when it was discovered that sho had married,, hnving made a false declaration that shewas twenty-one years of age. Sho pleaded guilty to this charge, and her husband, Percy John Garrad Hopkins, 32; years of age, pleaded guilty to wilfullycausing the false statement to be made. Mr. J. Yv. Card, of Fcatherston, appeared for both accused, and asked for ' lenient treatment.. Tho male accused had joined the Expeditionary Force nbout fourteen''months ago, but prior to that ho was working on a farm on which her parents were working, where ho met tho girl. An affection sprung up between them, and when the girl wus fifteen years of ago they became engaged, and he gave her a' ring. The mother remonstrated with him, her only objection boing that her daughter was too young. When the girl wae sixteen years of age they decided to marry, and forthat purpose wont to Masterton, where, after three days, they were married at tho Registrar's office, and the false declaration signed. In view of the good character of both accused, he asked that they be ordered to como up for sentence when called upon. His Honour, after lecturing the young people, ordered them to come npfor sentence when called upon. William Joseph Wynne, formerly employed as a collector by the Hospital and Charitable Aid Hoard, who pleaded ■guilty in tho Magistrate's Court to three charges of having failed to account for certain moneys to the hoard. The accused received ,£2.155., ,£7, and £5 from William Tunley, Bertha Little Besant, and Georgo Gapes. Mr. H. F. OLcary, who appeared for Wynno, said his was the case of a man who had,stolen money from his employers not for the purpose of dissipation, hut to enable him to try and get cured of a disease which unhappily was now found to be incurable. • His Honour ordered Wynne to como up for sentence when called upon. Thomas Uiloy, wharf labourer, who Pleaded guilty in the Magistrate's Court; to tho theft from a ship of twelve pairs: of Japanese black silk stockings, valued at ,£6, ,was the next prisoner to appear in the dock. Mr. IT. F. O'Leary said that this was lnley s first offence. His character had been good ever since he had been in New Zealand, and his character while in England had also been good. Probation in such cases had proved good, and he recommended probation in Kiley's case. His Honour, addressing the prisoner, said he thought he would be justified in granting probation. Eiley was admitted to probation for a period of two years; he is not to visit hotels or take liquor during that time, and to pay ,£8 towards the costs of the prosecution.