ARCHIBALD M'NEIL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 450, 23 February 1909, Page 3

ARCHIBALD M'NEIL

BEFORE THE COURT.

On Thursday last Archibald John M’Neil was brought before the Magisrate’s Court, at Wellington, for escaping from his Majesty’s prison and remaining away during a period extending from the 23rd January to the 10th instant—lß days. He had also to answer for having absconded with some of his Majesty’s property, viz., a pair of trousers, underpants, a flannel, and also a cotton shirt, and a waistcoat. Accused stepped up to the dock with a jaunty air, and appeared to view the proceedings as a matter of diversion. He beamed upon all and sundry, and winked to some. Chief Detective Broberg, who conducted the prosecution, stated that M’Neil had previously broken bounds, when undergoing sentence, and while out had committed crime. He was re-sen-tenced, when again he unlawfully secured his liberty. There was a long list of convictions against his name, dating back to 1893, While Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M., was deliberating over his judgment, accused, who had pleaded guilty, was apparently enjoying the situation.

His Worship, in giving his decision, remarked that accused was liable for the first' offence to serve a term of two years’ imprisonment. He would meet the case with a conviction, and a sentence of one year’s hard labour. On the second charge, accused was liable to various punishments. His Worship entered another conviction, and ordered accused to be kept in close confinement for 14 days and to lose six months’ marks.