POWELKA'S SENTENCE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 23 July 1910, Page 3

POWELKA'S SENTENCE.

DEPUTATION TO THE

MINISTER

GOVERNMENT WILL NOT

INTERFERE

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, July 22

The deputation organised by the Wellington Powelka Committee waited on the Minister for Justice yesterday to protest against the 21-year sentence passed upon Joseph Powelka. In the course of a strongly worded reply, the Minister said:—The sentences imposed by Mr Justice Cooper were >not only deserved, ' utwero necessary for the protection of the lives, persons, and property of law-abiding citizens. Mr Justice Cooper was a humane, painstaking, and able Judge, and some of the attacks which had been made upon liiim, when conscientiously trying to do his duty, by several newspapers in this country, could only fitly be called disgraceful. The Minister must firmly decline to treat- 'this as a case in wliioh the sentences imposed were so excessive and unfair that he should recommend the Governor to reduce them."

"The prayer of the petition presented,/' concluded tho Miihilstor, "is that I take the necessary stejxs to have the sentences of Joseph Powelka reduced. This ireqnast my plain duty compels mo to decline."

Dr. Find ley added that Powelka's mental condition would be carefully reviewed from time to time.