OPOTIKI COURT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 72, 1 July 1942, Page 5

OPOTIKI COURT

THEFT FROM HOTEL SOLDIER CHARGED At the Opotiki Police Court before Messrs G. S. Moody and W. T. Burrett, Justices, a Maori soldier, Tamehana Ivolia, a single man aged 30 years, faced two charges. They were that on 24th June he was found drunk in Church Street, and that on the same date he stole one wristlet watch and other articles from the Masonic Hotel, the total value of the articles being £4 14s 3d.

Accused pleaded guilty to both charges, and elected to be dealt with summarily on the second charge. Sergeant J. Isbister, who conducted proceedings on behalf of the police, stated that accused was a Maori soldier, belonging to Te Kaha. Accused was wandering about the passages in the Masonic Hotel at 2 o'clock in the morning and a guest missed certain articles. When the police made enquiries, accused gave no assistance. The missing articles were eventually found in accused s kitbag, which was on its way to Te Kaha. Accused had previous convictions. Accused expressed his willingness to take out a prohibition order. Sergeant Isbister said that probably the order would have little effect in camp. Accused AAas convicted and fined 10s on the charge of drunkenness, in default 24 hours' imprisonment; and on the charge of theft, he was convicted and fined £5, in default 7 days imprisonment. An order was made for the return of the stolen property.