Amongst other matters discussed at the meeting was the reported forthcoming advance in bus fares, and the heavy loss to the company resulting from uncollected fares.
It was stated at the meeting that the aggregate total sum to May 31. 1941 mat has been nade available bezzlement of a clarinet and the second two instruments, an accordion and a saxophone belonging to two members of the orchestra of Mr. J.
C. Trio, band leader in Hongkew.
The District Attorney, Mr. Leighton Shields, prosecuting told the court that defendant was arrested in Tientsin and posted a bond of U.S$250. He understood that Boni-facie would make full restitution to the owners of the instruments which were taken by accused towards the latter part of October last Judicial Clemeney Recommended The first count dealt with the clark inet. which counsel said was pawned by defendant in a pawnshop in the French Concession. The value of the instrument made the offence a petty one, for which the punishment, provided did not exceed one year or a fine not exceeding U: S.$500 or both The instruments described in the second count—the saxophone and accordion—counsel continued. were of considerably greater value and exceeded the limit fixed by law providing the minimum penalty for petty offences, The second count constituted grand larceny, of which the penalty was not less than a year's imprisonment and not exceeding ten years.
Mr, Shields went on to recommend judicial clemency and the infliction of a suspended sentence, pointing out the spirit of contriteness which defendant had exhibited and his desire to make full restitution to the owners of the instruments. Accused had pleaded guilty and in this particular case bad merited the leniency of the court, Asked if he had anything to say before sentence was passed, Bonifacio replied that he regretted what had happened and assured the court that he would pay every cent of what he had got.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.