A RUNAWAY MARRIAGE

Taranaki Daily News, 8 December 1917, Page 3

A RUNAWAY MARRIAGE

STOCKMAN* ADMITTED TO PROBATION. Edward Wni. Stockman, who \vas convict oil at the Supreme Court of obtaining .a certificate of marriage by means of a false declaration, came up for sentence- yesterday afternoon. Mr. Justice Kdwnrds said it had been his intention to indict.a substantial termor imprisonment, but lie hoped the leniency lie was now going to show to prisoner would not be an encouragement to others to comimt 'similar olTences. The crime bad been aggravated by the prisoner, who had been guilty of perjury in the wit-ness-box, and also by the fact that he and his father had evidently conspired in the matter. His Honor said he was; reluctant to send any person to gaol for the first time, and he believed the prisoner would be more usefully employed at farm work than by doing the "Government stroke" in o;aol. Prisoner was sentenced to a term of probation not exceeding three years, and ordered to pay the costs of the prosecution, amounting to .€l3, in instalments of £2 per month, prisoner to remain in the employ of Ins present employer or such, other employer approved by the probation officer during tlie period of probation. Should the terms of probation not be kept, prisoner would be ordsred to come up for sentence, and would be liable to a substantial term of imprisonment.