THEFT CASE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 May 1927, Page 4

THEFT CASE

YOUNG MAN CONVICTED

GREY-MOUTH, May 7

Appearing on remand from Hokitika a young man named Reginald Kerr Goodwill, was charged at GreymoutU to-day with the theft on March 0. at Mntainui of 40ft of bolting of value of £l2, iron and timber £4, portable forge £2, and two horse collars, the property of F. Hevcldt and otheis. He pleaded guilty, and decided to be dealt with summarily.

Sergeant King, of Hokitika, said that accused was employed at a flax m iU in South Westland recently. Prior to that, he was engaged in horse breaking and general labouring in the same district. The goods were stolen from the smithy near the flax mill, except the belting, which was taken from a sawmill at M nitangi. Accused had used the hefting for the purpose of making harness. TV hen the sawmill closed down, the owners discovered their loss, and on investigation, the stolen goods were found in accused’s hut. When taxed with the theft of the belting, he paid £5 , towards its value, leaving £7 still unpaid. The other articles were all recovered. Accused had several previous convictions for thefts of a minor nature—“silly sort of tilings.” Accused said that he intended to start business on his own account, and, if given a chance, thought he could do well. He was prepared to pay for the remainder of the belting, the owners of which, he said, were

“ quite satisfied to let it run at that.” He had had no intention of taking the other goods away from the flax mill at Matainui. The S.M. : It is unfortunate that you have a record of five convictions for theft during the past four years. Senior-Sergeant P. J. McCarthy pointed out, in fairness to accused, that most of the convictions which were entered at Westport, arose from the same offence.