TOO MUCH MONEY

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

TOO MUCH MONEY

BANE OF MODERN YOUTH' THEFTS OF IiEXZiXE "This is a ease where the defendant, a young man of nineteen years, is a victim of the age, in that he has been drawing bijg money anid as a result \ has felt that he liad the right to help himself," said Mr B. S. Barry when defending Darcy Leslie Sto well in the Whakatane Court last Friday on five separate charges of theft, involving some 20 gallons of benzine.

Messrs J. (!. Mulhoiland and T. J. Cummings were on. the bench. The thefts were committed over i\ period of six months and related to the 'milking' of private cars in various parts of the district.

Mr Barry went on to say that, the ease was but another sign ol" the times . School boys were able to-day almost upon leaving school, to command substantial wages before they had acquired a sufficient degree, of responsibility to know how to handle money wisely, or how to save. In Liie case of the defendant, he had always had il and was. used to big money. Apart from that lie was an excellent worker and came of a respectable. family. It was, the court would agree an age. of speed and when a youth, of defendant's tyjie possessed a car it was second nature to want to drive it all over the district. AVhc.il benzine, w.as restricted, after having been used to it, he had naturally looked for another supply to further the pursuit of sure. lie lnid, counsel claimed, first had his own petrol stolen and had retaliated by treating others in* the same Avay. Actually at nineteen years he Avas drawing more money than many professional married men in responsible positions were earn'ing a lew years ago. Counsel suggested a course ot' probation adding that defendant was not the type likely to come before the court again.

The bench observed Unit much of the trouble, to-day as l'ar as delinquent youth was concerned resulted from the- ownership of cars, lit was suggested Unit defendant get rid of his motor cycle and only use the ear when 11 is parents were with him.

Oil each of I lie live charges he was lined £2 and. costs and ordered to make restitution.