SUPREME COURT.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 August 1926, Page 4

SUPREME COURT.

[by TELEGRAPH —PF.R PRESS AKBOCRATIOV.] SUTHEE LAND SENTENCED. PALMERSTON N., August 7. At tile Supreme Court, Air Justice Deed sentenced Ernest Taniwha Sutherland to seven years’ ilinrd labour on each of three charges of attempted murder, assault causing bodily harm and arson, the terms to be concurrent. Counsel pleaded for leniency for the prisoner, who, lie said, had never previously shown any criminal tendencies. lie was an educated ATaori, and bad readied the rank of lieutenant in the Flying Corps during the, war. JTo was passionately fond of his Wife and children. TTis wife left during the war to tour with a. theatrical company of bad repute. Bows had developed since her return, and the wife had instituted separation proceedings, claiming i the custody of the children, whom Sutherland was looking after, washing, feeding and dressing them. The offence had been the result of an uncontrol-1 lable impulse amounting to temporary insanity, and the prisoner had given himself up voluntarily to the police. His Honor said that counsel’s statements regarding t-lie home troubles were borne out by the police reports, but lie could not lose sight of the fact that Sutherland was lucky that his wife had not died, and that he was not being charged with murder. He would have to impose, a substantial penalty.

stability to the electoral ' position by making the redistribution every ten years, instead of every five years. The deputation has been arranged by -M r Sullivan (member for Avon) in liis capacity as secretary of the South Island members’ committee, and it will raise the question of the completion of the South Island .Main Trunk railway, and the Hu Her railway, in addition to electoral matters.