SUPREME COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 February 1921, Page 5

SUPREME COURT.

PRISONERS MISSING. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, Feb. 7. Several prisoners, committed to the Supreme Court for sentence were missing when called upon this morning. One prisoner was not brought up 'by the police, and another, who was at large, but not on bail, failed to appear. A third prisoner was also missing and Mr. Justice Herdman sarcastically suggested , that the registrar should also call on Donald Pugh, who had disappeared while on probationary bail and had not been arrested. His Honor said that the prisoners should have been there, but apparently the Court had been asked to study their convenience. In another case where counsel for defence was not present His Honor ordered the trial to proceed. At the session Archie Athol Jacobs, a native of Chatham Islands, pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawfully knowing a girl, also a native. Counsel for the prisoner said ho (the prisoner) was engaged to the girl at the time of the offence and was prepared to marry her and the girl was willing. Counsel asked for prisoner to be placed on probation so that' an application be made to the Court for leave for the marriage of the couple. His Honor said he proposed to take an unusual course. The prisoner was liable to five years’ imprisonment but, in view of the circumstances, would be admitted to probation for two years and pay £5O costs of the prosecution.