BRAZEN THEFT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 73, 3 July 1942, Page 5

BRAZEN THEFT

BOOTS REMOVED FROM SHOP

young maori sentenced

When Patoro Watarawi, appeared in the Whakatane Court last Wednesday morning in answer to a charge concerning the theft of a pair of boots from the shop of R. Hannah and Co. he stated that he had been drinking and had but a Jiazy recollection of the incident. Messrs G. Brabant and J. G. Mulholland, J.P.''s were on the bench. Constable Thorn stated in evidence that about 6 p.m. on Tuesday last he had been approached by the manager of Hannah's, who stated -Miat three pairs of boots and one pair of sand shoes bad been removed from the front of Ills shop. Witness (Constable Thorn) had then proceeded to make enquiries, and while investigating the cars in the vicinity had discovered a pair of new boots on the rear seat of a car parked in Clifton Road. These were identified as a pair of the missing boots. Witness had waited, in the vicinity until two young Maoris ap-< proached the car and proceeded to get inside. He then accosted .them and asked about the boots. Both young men indulged in a conversation in Maori and then informed him that they had no knowledge of them whatsoever. Davis admitted ownership of the car. Watarawi in pleading guilty said that Davis had not participated in the thefts but, lie personally had informed him that the stolen boots were deposited in his ear. Davis who was. charged with assisting pleaded complete ignorance of the theft claiming that the first intimation he had was when approached by Constable Thorn. He had, he said, been in the billiard saloon when, the theft was committed and had nothing to do with it. The charge against linn was without foundation. Sergeant Farrell said that the theft of goods from shops was becoming very common and should be , put down very firmly. After a brief consultation the bench decided to give Davis the benefit of the doubt and dismiss the charge. Watarawi was sentenced to a. month's imprisonment.