TRIPLE CONVERSION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 14, 21 August 1946, Page 5

TRIPLE CONVERSION

RESULT OF MIDNIGHT JAUNT

SEQUEL IN COURT Looking particularly sorry for themselves Angus William Francis McLeod, and Johnson Savage appeared in the Whakatane Court before Messrs. C. E. Christensen and C. S. Armstrong, J.P’s, yesterday in answer to three separate charges of conversion which occurred on the night of August 19th last. Both men pleaded guilty and were sentenced to terms of imprisonment of three months and one month respectively.

Sergeant Farrell stated that both accused were employed at the Paper Mills, McLeod who had a substantial police record being a comparative newcomer to the district,and Savage being well known. On the night in question Savage had celebrated his birthday by having a party to which McLeod was invited as a guest. About midnight as was usual at such gatherings the beer ran out and efforts were made to secure a further supply in Whakatane. It was McLeod’s idea to take one of the vehicles parked in the vicinity of the Mill and eventually Savage was persuaded to agree. They‘ picked one bel#*ging to Meka Hei Hei valued at £l*B. He drove it into town and both were intent on making calls at various places. In order that the truck should not be recognised at their places of call they decided to take another truck when they discover one parked on the street. This they found in the shape of a Power Board truck parked outside the residence of Mr R. Chadwick in Douglas Street and valued at £250. This they started up and in backing it on to the roadway managed to send it into the drain. Abandoning the vehicle they searched further afield and noted a similar one outside the residence of Mr T. Hurndell in Goulstone Road. Without further delay they appropriated the truck (valued £200) and made off to the Mill. Arriving there they abandoned the truck on the roadway at Piripai. It wa6 not stated whether the party was continued or not.

From the dock, McLeod said that the action was not a premeditated one in the first place. They had gone to an adjoining homestead and had rung up the taxi office. The operator had promised to send a car but after waiting for an hour without this maternalising had decided to make the trip into town in a ‘borrowed’ car. Accused were sentenced as above.