IMPUDENT THEFT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 48, 16 February 1943, Page 5

IMPUDENT THEFT

GOODS TAKEN FROM CAR

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLER' S LOSS

When Kihi Mate, a married man with five children, appeared before Messrs G. A. Brabant and G. R." Kent, J.P.'s, in the Whakatane Court yesterday morning he pleaded guilty to four charges embracing the theft of clothing and other goods! from the car of a commercial traveller, on November 16 last, the total value of which was well over £50.

The charges were that he stole ten women's silk dresses valued; at £19 19s, a box of sample shoes valued at £10, razor blades 1 valued at £11 13s 4d and photographic films valued at £2 7s 6d;. All the above: belonged to Hubert James Clifton a commercial traveller, who according to Sergeant Farrcll had parked his cars outside the Whakatane Hotel but had neglectedi to lock it. Later investigation revealed the goodsi enumerated to be missing. .After extensive enquiries the police traced the goods to accused who when taxed with the theft admitted it but said that he had been drunk at t.he "time and when he realised what he had done, had become frightened and thrown most of them into the Whakatane river. Only goods to the value of 15s 9d had been recovered. Previous Good Character Mr Barry who defended said that accused had up till the time of his present lapse borne a good character and was a steady worker. He had become hopelessly drunk on the. evening in question and. had stumbled into the open ear not knowing whose it was. Mr Barry contended that there Avas a certain onus on the car owner for leaving the. door open. Mate had appropriated the goods and taken them home-. lit was quite true that upon sobering up he had become frightened at.his. action and had thrown most of the property into the river in order to try and ■cover up his traces. Counsel submitted that the goods taken were not of the type which wou'.d normally be appropriated by a Maori bent oil theft. It was obviously the act of a drunken man. Mr Barry also pointed out that accused was a qualified; slaughterman and had been appointed b3 r the Manpower Coramitec to the Freezing Works in Auckland, though his transfer was disputed by the Whakatane Pauer Mills by Avhom he Avas at present employed. It Avouhl be folly in these daA's of skilled labour shortage to send such a man to gaol and he anpealcd for a term of probation. Sentence of Six Months The bench, observed that the crc-va-lence of theft amongst the Maoris of this: district Avas growing nib-re and more Avidesnread and it. Avas therefore necessary to make an oxample- of the accused. Had lie, instead of throAving the goods iiUo the river Avhcrc the 3' Avcre irrecoverable, returned them to their legal OAvner this Avoukl have been inclined to take a more lenient view.

Accused "was. sentenced to six months' imprisonment on the first charge and convictcd and disci larked on the remaining three.