SUPREME COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 November 1922, Page 6

SUPREME COURT.

WELLINGTON SESSIONS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Nov. 4. Tn the Supreme Court, sentences were imposed by Mr. Justice Reed to-day as follows:—Alfred Mears and Arthur Harry Walker, for breaking and entering with intent, were admitted to two years’ probation and ordered to pay costs. Albert. Ernest Kearns, whom the police described as a dangerous man, was sentenced to 12 months’ hard labor and declared an habitual criminal for false pretences. Joseph Terence Maher, for false pretences, described as one of the worst and most dangerous criminals in New Zealand, was sentenced to 12 months’ hard labor and declared an habitual criminal. Roy Clifford Barkle. for theft of Government money, was admitted to two years’ probation. Piri Matanga, for theft, was sentenced to six months' hard labor. Richard Hayes, for assaulting women with intent to commit a crime, was sentenced to two years’ hard labor, followed by three years’ reformative treatment.

AUCKLAND SESSIONS.

Auckland. Nov. 4. Tn the Supreme Court. John H. Kerr, aged 40, who has been living as a wild man in the bush in the Tauranga district for several years, was sentenced to ten years’ hard labor for breaking and entering in the suburbs. William N. Mellars, aged 34, who pleaded guilty to a charge of making counterfeit coins, was sentenced to two years’ hard labor and three years’ reformatory treatment. The Judge said the sentence would have been heavier but for the fact that prisoner bore a previous good character. The offence was a serious one, with life imprisonment as the maximum penalty • It must not be encouraged by a light sentence.