PAHIATUA HORSE-STEALING CASE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8874, 7 November 1907, Page 5

PAHIATUA HORSE-STEALING CASE.

SENTENCE POSTPONED. In the Supreme Court, Wellington, on Saturday, before Mr Justice Button, George McDonald, who had pleaded guilty at Pahiatua to the theft of a horse, saddle and bridle was set forward. Mr Buddie asked that prisoner be admitted to probation. McDonald had, he said, been working f.)r a man named Cleery, who lent him the horse to go to Pahiatua to meet some men who were to assist him at bushfelling. The men did not turn up, and McDonald commenced drinking. Subsequently he rode on to Woodyille, but the men were not there, and he drank so heavily that he was brought before the court. Whilst he was under the influence of liquor he sold the horse, saddle and bridle. When he came to his senses, and realised what he hi d done, he arranged with a young man to despatch a telegram to his employer about the matter. Counsel asked that prisoner should be admitted probation, notwithstanding the fact that he had been convicted for drunkenness. His Honour said he did not think the Legislature had intended that a conviction for drunkenness, or, say, a conviction for a breach of a bylaw should be a bar to the granting of probation. Like Nelson had done on a memorable occasion, he would look at the conviction with the eye out of which he could not see. Mr Buddie (continuing) said that prisoner would take out a prohibition order. When the case was before the magistrate, McDonald's tormer employer had intimated that he would take him back, and prisoner was anxious to resume work. His Honour: The writing; on this document does noc -appear to me to be that of a man who afterwards had no recollection of what he had done. Mr Buddie: I have seen writing equally as good by drunken men. His Honour pointed out that the saddle and bridle did not belong to prisoner's employer. Mr Buddie said that the horse, saddle and bridle were now in the possession of their rightful owners. Mr Myers. Crown Prosecutor, informed the Court that he had nothing to say. Judgment was deferred.