An Ex-M.H.R. in Trouble,

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1347, 17 February 1881, Page 3

An Ex-M.H.R. in Trouble,

Grahamstown, Last Night, At the Police Court to-day, William Rowe, formerly a member for the House of Representatives for the Thames district, was charged with having about 5 o'clock this morning, stolen two shillings from the till of the Theatre Royal Hotel, where he was lodging. From the evidence, it appeared that money had been missed, previously under similar circumstances, and suspicion fell upon Rowe. A. policeman was accordingly placed in ambush this morning, and the money marked. The policeman saw Rowe take the mouey out, then lay on the sofa, pretending to read the paper. On being searched, £1 5s was found on him, amongst it being two marked shillings. Mr Gully, who appeared for the prisoner, admitted the theft, but urged that Rowe had been drinking heavily, and did not know what he was doing. It was evident he was not in want. It was urged that the Magistrate should exercise discretionary power and dismiss the cane as trivial, as probably no felony was intended. His Worship, in passing judgment, said he would be glad to discharge the prisoner, but could not help feeling that, if he were to do so, it would be drawing a dihtinction in his favour against those whose education and circumstances had not been a& good as prisoner's. As a public officer having a duty to the public to perform, he was unable to do that. Ho was unwilling, however, to sentence prisoner to a lengthened term, but would sentence him to a sufficient term to show him that well-educated persons who had held public positions could not do these things with impunity. He would sentence Rowe to 48 hours' imprisonment.