A LONG LIST

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 28, 3 February 1932, Page 9

A LONG LIST

CRIME IN AUCKLAND

PRISONERS -SENTENCED

: (By N Telegraph.—Press Association.) ■ ~'[; ■;, ■•'■ AUOKIiAND,;2na February. „;.. "There, 'is..little of ■_ special, monient which you have:.to ./.consider,", said his Honour Mr.' Justice Herdman' in' delivering his charge at the opening of the .Supreme,, Court' to-day. "The list is 'a lengthy o~ne, more so than usual. Substantially ,thej?,bu]i'.-of the charges are not of serious^crime."^ -.■.- ■~-.; • ; Ten prisoners who had pleaded guilty to variousl offences were sen J tenced by his Honour. 3?ive years was the longest term imposed. ■'■ ■'*" : r "I'don't know what'is coiling over you yoiing Maoris," said', his Honour after two Natives in succession Had appeared .in the dock. "In ' former days-the,,old Maoris! looked ■.Rafter. you young people :and. punished yoii: themselves." -.; '■'*' , .'.,,...' .:.•,.'; '.;: "TJiis is a most :djsgusting offence," said his Honour when Arthur William Merritt appeared' oi. a charge of indecent assault. . "TheVpffence. you have committed was.:on your" own son, a boy'of six..,? You.sent me a note,a.Bk~ing for leniency, butthat is impossibles You will be sentenced to five years, with hard' labour;" :f .. ; ,': . . >'-Wh,en sentencing. Leo'Wikitera to five years' imprisonment with hard lab our on a, charge ■of • unlawful carnal knowledge at Kaitaia his' Honour saidVthe:' case, was'one of thei worst of r ita. kihdf.tliat had ever'come tinder his.notice. - ■ '■. ' ' .V,. \ ~,.'./ No bill -was returned by .the, Grand Jury; in the case of Alexander Burnett Charters, charged: vith. ialse pretences and ; f orgery of accounts at Whangarei.