THEFT OF CUTLERY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 54, 18 May 1942, Page 5

THEFT OF CUTLERY

AN OPOTIKI CASE TWO MAORIS CHARGED Charges of stealing knives, the property of Marin Lukan, on May 8, were brought against Mate Mokomoko and Henry Paewini at the Opotiki Police Court on Saturday before Messrs J. D. Clark and C. Pipe, Justices. Mokomoko was charged with the theft of five knives of total value of 17s (id, while Paewini was charged with the theft of onee knife valued: at 3s Gd. The arrests were made by Constable Rathie and Sergeant J. Isbister, respectively. Mokomoko entered a plea of not guilty to his charge. Sergeant Isbister, who conducted proceedings on behalf of the police, stated th,at the two men charged went to the. lish shop, and after the meal disputed the payment, and used bad language to the girl in the shop. Knives were missed, and in response to a telephone call, Constable Rathie went to the shop. The first accused produced live knives which he put on the counter The second accused went outside

and threw a knife along the street. When arrested, Mokomoko created a terrific noise which startled the whole neighbourhood. Audrey Skclton, who was serving in the shop, gave evidence that when she went up to the table there Avert two knives on the floor. These she picked up, and there were then iiv( knives on the table, one being missing still'. Witness called Mr Lukan : and the accused used bad language, ■ Constable Rathie was summonei and the men moved into the fron . of the shop, where Mokomoko pro ; duced five knives and put them oj • the counter. t At this stage askc< j witness questions about the knives 1 Constable W. Rathie, in evidence > said that at about 10.15 h,e receive' - a telephone message asking him t jgo to the Maj.estic Cafe, and who: he got there the two accused an s others were standing inside the doo

s and were just about to go out into the street. Mokomoko came out last, % both accused being considerably un- - der the influence of liquor. Mokog; moko put five knives out on the n countoer. p Asked if he had anything to say, il Mokomoko said, that he had finishv ed his meal! and was talking with t- Lukan. He had the knives behind e his back. 5- The bench: Why did you have if the knives there; were you frightg ened they would do something to e you? Sergant Isbistcr said that offences: at that shop were too frequent. Last week a large enamel tray ol shell-fish was: stolen. Accused wa< one of those involved, but the mar who saw the offence did not wan I to go to court to prove the offence Accused had a large list of previou:

offences. Tile bench said that it was of the opinion that accused intended to take the knives if Constable Ratliie had not arrived. Accused was convicted, and sentenced to three months' imprisonment. The second accused, Paewini, pleaded guilty to the theft of one knife. Sergeant Isbister said, that accused was in company with the previous defendant at the time. He was a sneak thief, and when he knew he was going tot b ccaught, he threw the knife along the street. Drink was the trouble. tcneed to three months' imprisonAccused was convicted and senmcnt.