WANGANUI COURT

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9468, 10 June 1909, Page 8

WANGANUI COURT

At Wanganai Oonrt yesterday when J. P. Hughes was brought up for sentence for stealing a horse, gig, and harness, and for false pretences. His Honor said his past record, if Che Australian convictions had been proved, would have justified him in sentencing him as an habitual criminal. Prisoner would be sentenced to two years’ imprisonment on each charge, sentences to be cumulative.

After some further evidence in the charge of theft of a gnu against John Vincent, the jury returned a verdict of guilty with a recommendation to mercy on account of accused’s age and previous good conduct. The judge said that prisoner had been found guilty of an extremely foolish act. He would not sentence him to imprisonment, but would impose a fine such as prisoner would be made to feel. He would be fined £7, compensation to Mr Ooa £3, and £5 towards the cost of prosecution, and in default six weeks’ imprsonment, A week was allowed in which to pay the fine. William Munson was charged with stealing £5 from Thomas Smith on May 24th. Smith, who was not quite sober, had drawn a totalisator dividend of £6 Is at Wanganui Races, and it was alleged that Munson took a£s note ont of hia hand. Munson was sentenced to four months’ hard labour. Thomas Hammond was charged with having stolen a cheque of £6 lls 7d from Archdeacon Smith, and having forged Smith’s name to it. Accused was found guilty of forgery alone, and sentenced to four months’ imprisonment.