SUPREME COURT.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 May 1927, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

IBY TELEGRAPH PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] THE Fl’ .SENTENCE. CHRISTCHURCH, May 13. ‘‘During a comparatively short period the prisoner committed fraud on the public hv asking them to invest in shares, and has succeeded in taking away some five thousand.” said .fudge Adams in sentencing George lecil Xeild to four years. Xeild pleaded guilty in the Lower Court to a charge that at Ashburton In- received from William George Prior, the sum of one hundred pounds requiring him to pay it to Thomas Mcßae Clark and fraudulently omitted to account for it. POUR. YEARS EACH. CHRISTCHURCH, May 13. In the Supreme Court on eight ( Mints of theft from the Railway Department and seven counts of forgery of departmental pay-sheets John James Neilson and Gavin Gordon Watson ex-servants of the maintenance branch were each sentenced to four years imprisonment on each charge to which the had pleaded guilty, sentences to he concurrent.

“From 1922 till the beginning of 1927,” said His Honour, “these two men. by concerted and somewhat ingenious fraud succeeded in obtaining upwards of £OOOO in cash, v.hile in a position of trust. The Court cannot listen to a suggestion that the more a man is trusted the more he is entitled to steal, for that is what it amounts to. When a man is put in it position of trust, his employers trust him and in. such case it is impossible to devise means of cheeking him. This is one of the most serious cases that has come before tlm Court for a long time ill (bis particular line. There arc no circumstances which call for leniency. The money stolen, wois s|K'nt in gambling, betting and riotous living.’’

PR ISONFR.S SENTENCED. CH RLSTCTI F RGH . May 13. At: the Supreme Court, Walter John Clark Aitchi.snn. accountant. 30 years of age. pleaded guilty to a charge that lie received various sums of money, amounting in all to £IO3O on terms requiring him to account to Todd Motor Company, and fraudulently omitted to do so. He was ordered to he detained for reformative treatment for a period not. exceeding three years. William John Sullivan was ordered to be detained for reformative treatment for a period not exceeding three years, on a charge Unit he received £950 on terms requiring him to account for same to tfte Canadian Government Mercantile Marine, and fraudulently omitted to account for same, therein- committing theK. CHRISTCHURCH. May 13. Prisoners sou tenet d at the Supreme Court: —I a u Lot-bland Shaw, 22, who pleaded guilty to attempted rape, -etc: years. Jack llarrigan. 23, lor indecent It assaulting a male, to live years, CHRTSTf4I EKC I L May 13. At the Supreme Court, for attempted rape in a city right of way. Stan’ey Miller was sentenced to live years’ gaol. Richard Carney, for theft of a ring, to one year's gaol.

GUILTY OF NEGLIGENCE. AUCKLAND. May 13. As a result of knocking down and fatally injuring Miss Emily Owen ii Upper Queen Street on the night of February 27th. Thomas Lionel Grice, a taxi-driver, was found guilty of driving negligently, thereby causing Miss Owen’s death. The jury added a strong recommendation to mercy. Justice Herdman considered the a: (-used guilty of negligence in a minor de greo. He was undoubtedly travelling too fast, considering the condition of the street and the murky atmosphere. 'l’llo unfortunate lady was to some extent to blame for the catastrophe. He lined accused £25. and costs £23 7s. in default six mouths’ imprisonment.