RECEIVING STOLEN BENZINE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2151, 17 July 1920, Page 2

RECEIVING STOLEN BENZINE.

COEVICTION RECORDED. At yesterday’s sitting of the Magistrate’s Court, before Mr J. L, Stout, S.M., William Larkins, a young Native, of Rangiotu, was charged with, on March 23rd, 1020, receiving three tins of benzine, valued at £3, the property of Herbert Bond, from Cecil Hadlield and Douglas Simpson, knowing same had been dishonestly obtained. Constable Woods conducted the ease on behalf of the police, and Mr M. B. Bergiu appeared for accused, who pleaded not guilty, and elected to be dealt with summarily. The phliee stated the ease arose out of a “night out” held by a number of young men at Bainesse, the parly including the two youths from whom the benzine was obtained and the accused. Some liquor was consumed at the Bainesse cheese factory, and afterwards one, of those present- suggested going to Foxton to get a further supply. The accused, who owned a motor ear, said he did not have enough benzine to make .the trip, and the two youths (Hadlield and Simpson) said they would get some for him, which they did. As a result of the trip to Foxton that night a publican was afterwards convicted for selling liquor after hours, and the two youths were also brought before the Court and convicted for stealing the benzine. The following evidence was called for the prosecution:— Cecil Hadlield, farm labourer, stated that on the night in question a suggestion was made when at the Bainesse factory that the party should adjourn to Foxton to get more liquor. Larkins said ho did not have enough benzine, and witness said he would got some for him, Larkins drove his ear along the road, and witness got a tin from Bond’s milking shed, and put it in Hie ear. Later on witness and Simpson got a further two tins and also put it in the car. He couldn’t say if Larkins knew where they got. the benzine from. He didn’t tell Larkins he was going to steal it.

To Mr Bergiu: Larkins knew witness worked for Bond. 'Witness did not tell him where he was getting

the benzine. To the Police; Larkins did not pay for the benzine, or ask how much it was.

.Douglas Simpson staled that he did not go with Larkins and Had--11 eld when the lirst tin of benzine was obtained. He was with liadlield on the second occasion when two tins were obtained. Larkins drove them along the road in the car, and liadlield and witness went and got the benzine from Bond’s shed. He could hot say just where they got out of the car, as he was pretty well “stunned up” at the lime. Larkins did mot ask them where they got the benzine, and witness thought that if he (Larkins) had known it was stolen lie would not have accepted it. Witness had a motor bike, and had benzine of his own.

Herbert Bond, farmer, gave evidence as to missing the benzine from his shed, and informing the police. He had been paid for two tins by liadlield, having stopped it out of his wages, but the other tin had not yet been paid for. To Mr Bergiu: liadlield had been working for him for three mouths prior to this trouble, and ho had had no reason to doubt his honesty. The general character and reputation of Simpson was very good.

To the Police: As far as witness knew, Larkins’ reputation in the district was good.

For the defence, Mr Bergin called the accused, William Larkins, who staled that on (he night in question liadlield suggested going to Eoxton

to get more liquor, and when witness slated that he did not have enough benzine Iladtiekl said he could get some, lie didn’t inquire where he was going to get it from.' He drove Hadlield along the road as far as- JNlr Fitzgerald's, and whilst he was there Hadlield got the benzine. On the second occasion 1$ drove along to the same place, and Simpson and Hadlield went away and returned with two tins of benzine. Witness said he did not for a moment think they were getting, the benzine dishonestly. Simpson and witness were boys together," and he had never known him to do anything wrong before. He knew that Simp-' sou had a motor bike, and would therefore have benzine. He understood the boys were giving him the benzine in return for rides in his car.

... This concluded the case, and after Mr Bergin had addressed tfie Bench the Magistrate said that Larkins should certainly have inquired how the boys were getting the benzine,and should have known belter than to accept it without making these inquiries. He would have to be convicted. However, the boys were really the principals in the matter, and as they had been let off very leniently, he vvopld merely enter a conviction and discharge accused. He hoped, however, that this case would be a lesson to him. .• . ... .