THEFT OF TYRE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 79, 27 May 1946, Page 5

THEFT OF TYRE

MAORI SENTENCED

FURTHER FOURTEEN DAYS

The enforced vacation' of Hapi Hori, a Maori of Edgecumbe who was released from the Whakatane gaol on Wednesday was continued for a further 14 days before the unfortunate incarcerated even had time to set foot outside the gate. He was called to appear before the Whakatane Court on Wednesday to answer a further charge of theft. .

Accused pleaded guilty to the charge which read that on April 13, at Edgecumbe, he stole a tyre and rim, valued at £lO, the property of Bernard Magee. Messrs. G. A. Brabant and C. H. Christensen J.P.s were on the Bench.

Sergeant Farrell stated that on the night of April 13, Mr Magee had gone to Edgecumbe, and had left his car parked near the hall. When he returned to it, he had found the spare tyre and rim were missing. He had made a search but could find no trace of either. A few days later it was discovered by a man named Marr, who discovered it in a hedge. From information received, accused was proceeding down the road with the missing tyre and rim when he had seen a party of people .approaching. He had thrown it into a hedge an had gone back for it later, but in the meantime, Mr Marr had discovered it.

Stealing from cars, the Sergeant continued, had become very prevalent, and it was time something was done about it. The public was complaining about the manner in which not even a locked car was safe. Accused was a confirmed thief. His conduct at Edgecumbe in the past had been such that no other conclusion could be arrived at. He had absolutely no respect for other people’s property. There were two previous convictions against him.

Sentence of 14 days’ imprisonment in the Whakatane gaol was passed.