HC Deb 12 June 1912 vol 39 cc1004-5W
Mr. POINTER

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can now state the number of first offenders imprisoned without the option of a fine by Mr. Black-wood Wright during his magistracy of Port-of-Spain, Trinidad; the number of persons under the age of eighteen years imprisoned by him without the option of a fine and for what offences; the number of persons wrongfully imprisoned by him and released by order of the Governor in cases not admitting of an appeal under the existing law; the number of convictions quashed by the Court of Appeal as compared with other magistrates in the colony; and the amount of costs paid by the Government in respect to such quashed convictions?

Mr. HARCOURT

The answer to the first question is seventy-six, and to the second question, four, of whom three were convicted for fighting and one for indecent behavior. I have no information as to the remaining parts of the question, and I am not aware on what grounds it is suggested that persons have been wrongfully convicted by the magistrate referred to.