FINES IMPOSED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 155, 3 May 1940, Page 5

FINES IMPOSED

MAORIS CHARGED WITH THEFT INCIDENT ON SATURDAY NIGHT Appearing on remand from Monday three young Maoris, Pere Houa Meihana, of Poroporo, Karauria -Kingi, of Paroa and Peter Moeka, of Poroporo, appeared before Messrs W. Sullivan and G. A. Brabant, Jus- ' tices of the Peace, in the Police Court on Wednesday, The charge was stealing seven • quart'bottles of beer, valued at 10s ■6d, the property of Alfred Haytcr, and all defendants pleaded guilty. Mr R. F. Smith represented Moeka. Prosecuting, Sergeant M. tarrell said that defendants -were in town last Saturday night and had removed the beer from the hotel. It was not suggested that they actually broke into the premises as there was "a likelihood of the lock on the door through which they entered being faulty and the door may have been •open. Sergeant Farrell said that the defendants had been working in the grounds since their remand on Monday and they had worked very well. Moeka and Meihana were first offenders and Moeka had agreed to rtalce out a prohibition order. In defending Moeka, Mr Smith said he had had a few drinks an 'the day in question. He was a hard--working fellow employed on Public Works and was married, with four children. He had suffered a certain, amount of punishment through being in custody. 'The Bench informed defendants That the Act provided for a penalty of three months' imprisonment or a maximum fine of £20. As two were .first offenders the accused would be fined £5 each and ordered to make restitution of the 10s 6d involved* Fourteen days were allowed in which io pay.