HALF-CASTE CRIMINAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1730, 15 September 1917, Page 4

HALF-CASTE CRIMINAL.

A half-caste Maori named James Ross,. IGA years of age, was brought up for sentence at (he Masterton Supreme Court this week on a charge of breaking and entering at Greytown,' Mr 11. C. Robinson appeared on behalf of the grandmother of accused (a Maori), and pointed out that owing to a disability, the lad was not at limes responsible for bis actions. This was par-' tienlarly so at full moon. The accused had been known during these periods to do peculiar things. He bad at one time ridden a horse at such a pace through (he main street of Greytown that it fell down and broke its neck. On another occasion lie bad taken a cat by its tail and dashed Us brains out against a post. He had further pulled all the spouting away from the roof of a house and had taken a piano out and broken it to pieces. Mr Robinson pleaded for lenient treatment. Mr Buvridgo, for the Crown, said that the report of the Probation Officer was not favourable, and be thought accused should undergo a course of reformative treatment. His Honour (Sir Robert Stout) stated the case was not one for probaiion, as the acts had been committed on separate occasions. He would sentence Hie prisoner to two years’ reformative treatment, but would recommend to the Governor that accused bo placed on the Weraroa State Farm for the term.