STOLEN CLOTHES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 3, 31 August 1943, Page 5

STOLEN CLOTHES

QUESTION OF OWNERSHIP COMEDY IN COURT Charged' with the theft of an oilskin overcoat (£3) the property of Albert Remaha, with a pullover and a shirt (255) the property of John Stevens, and one pair of shoes (255) the property of Solly Stevens, Ron Poinga, for whom Mr B. S. Barry appeared, pleaded l guilty before Messrs G. Brabant and C. H. Christensen, J.P.'s in the Whakatane Police Court last Tuesday. The talc told by the police was to the effect that Poinga was living in a bach on Landing Road with the three other Maoris concerned and had one evening left for his home taking with IVim the articles of clothing complained of. His friends had had, no communication from hiitt and had not given permission for the removal of their possessions. Mr Barry for the defence claimed that the four young men were great friends and had habitually made noi secret of wearing each others clotMng. Poinga had merely carried out the usual practice when lie left and had every intention of returning them. Counsel backed up his argument by getting one of the witnesses for the prosecution to adr mit that he was at that moment wearing an article of clothing .bcrlonging to the accused. Mr Barry then claimed that it was for the police to show that' there was no intention to return the articles complained of before his client could be convicted. The bench held that it was convinced that Poinga's motives were not honest and. therefore imposed a tine of £5. At Mr Barry's intimation that he might take the case on appeal the fine was increased by a shilling.