YOUNG MAORI’S LAPSE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 59, 5 April 1946, Page 5

YOUNG MAORI’S LAPSE

THEFT OF BANJO INCIDENT AT RUATOKI The sight of a musical instrument (a banjo) in a car at Ruatoki on the night of January I. last proved apparently an irresistable temptation to a young Maori Bishop Mau, who appeared before Messrs. Brabant and Christensen J.P.s. on a charge

of theft in the Whakatane Court yesterday. Accused pleaded guilty and elected to be dealt with.

Sergeant Farrell stated that the owner of the banjo, Victor James Stewart, had been hired to play at the Ruatoki Pa that night and left his car parked on the roadway. On going towards it later, he noticed a person leaving carrying something with him. The instrument was missing from the car, and its theft was later reported to the police. Accused had been interviewed but strenuously denied his guilt. Later however he confessed and stated that he had acted on the spur of the moment and was afraid to admit it. Accused had previously borne a good character. Mr Walter M. Reid, accused’s employer spoke. in high praise of his character and stated that he was a consistent and reliable worker. He employed both the accused and his wife and they would be hard to better. He could not understand the action, and asked the bench to inflict a fine rather than a term of imprisonment, offering to see that the money was paid in full. Remarking that accused was liable to a term of imprisonment for six months, or alternatively to a fine of £2O, the bench indicated that in view of Mr Reid’s evidence it would inflict a fine of £lO, to be paid forthwith.