SUPREME COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 June 1919, Page 5

SUPREME COURT.

PUNISHMENT OF SEXUAL OFFENDERS. By Telegraph.—Press Association, Gisborne, Last NightAt the Supreme Court criminal session there were five sexual charges on the calendar, three being against one Maori and two against another Native. After returning to the court, the grand jury made the following submission to his Honor: "The jury views with apprehension .the number oil indictments for pexual crimes presented to them, and thegeneral growth of this class of crime throughout the Dominion,"

His Honor said ho quite agreed. He had said on a recent occasion tha.t he thought the time had arrived wlien judges should consider the advisability of ordering flogging in these cases. The judges have the tight to oTder flogging, and it was a question whether .that right Bhould not be inflicted, with a view to deferring those who may be inclined to such offences.

The following prisoners appeared for sentence; Hotene Rehutai, alias Bangi, for forgery, twelve months. Kawa Takako, for forgery, .two years' probation, the money to be refunded. CamiUe Body, for an indecent offence against a boy, five years. • Joseph Susmer, for alteration of registration card, was ordered to come up for sentence wheni called upon- Clarence Collier, alias Jack Thompson, for the theft of £76, was admitted to probation for two years and ordered to make restitution. Arthur Leslie Betts, theft of motor cycle, two years' probation. Emma Grant, for theft of £7, six months.