Theft of Petrol in Feilding

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 66, 22 March 1944, Page 6

Theft of Petrol in Feilding

PROBATION FOR TWO YOUTHS “For some considerable time there lias been a tremendous amount of benzine thieving going on in Feilding and one particular place we have been watching for five or six hours every night,” stated Sgt. Turner, when prosecuting two youths, at the Feilding Magistrate’s Court for the theft of half a gallon of petrol, the property of Messrs. Hooper, Lowe and Co., Ltd. The sergeant did not attribute all the thieving of benzine to the defendants, nevertheless, there had beer, quite a number of complaints and in the car owned by one of the defendants were two benzine tins and a short length of hose which was used in extracting benzine from a motor truck left outside the premises of a garage in Aorangi Street. Apart from the charges the defendant* were quite good boys. The defendants were N. M. Reid and D. J. O’Neill, for whom Mr. J. Graham appeared and pleaded guilty. On behalf oi Reid he said that he was a very indus trious boy in permanent employment. Had conditions been normal there was no doubt that defendant would have been in steady employment in some industry. However, he had been 12 months: in a Territorial camp and then had been man-powered to the Foxton textile job at high wages an-* later to the freezing works also at mgh wages and following this had been engaged t>y Mr. F. Mason, horticulturist. The youth had been drawing wages which would have been drawn by a man twice his age and with nothing to do with his money he had purchased a cheap motor car. There was no inherent vice in the youth who had been accepted for the Air Force and was to join up this month. Relating the history of the youth O'Neill, counsel said that like Reid he had had a good education at a high school and then had farm training. Later he had served in a Territorial camp where he had been to a certain extent contaminated. On being released he workee at roof tiling and received £S per week “They are really examples of what can come about through this peculiar system of young fellows getting high wages ana not knowing what to do with them,” re marked counsel. "It is a great pity tha there is not some system whereby j. these high wages are to be paid to boys, a portion of the wages are set aside it. some trust to be paid to them when the. reach the age of discretion. These boys, are deserving of some sympathy,” continued counsel, who went on to say tha*. he realised the seriousness of the offence. "I quite agree with a great deal oi what you have said, Mr. Graham,” saic the Magistrate. “There is no doubt tha. the fantastically high wages paid tc youths who have no responsibilities noi obligations have been the cause, and wi in the future be the causes leading tc trouble. It will require a very longheaded and strong-minded youth, just freed from control of school, finding him self out in the world with so much monej at his command, to resist temptation.’ The Magistrate went on to comment on the prevalency of this type of offence ana it was the duty of the Court to take action so that those like-minded would not be tempted to indulge in the practice. He noticed that some magistrates were adopting the practice of imposing a term of imprisonment for such crimes although Courts were adverse to sending young people to gaol for first offences. How ever, there were circumstances in the cases before the Court which he would take into consideration. Defendants would be admitted to two year’s proba Lion under the usual conditions togethei with special conditions. In the case of Reid he would be required to dispose oi his car within one month and would be prohibited from buying or hiring a cat during the period of his probation. As far as O’Neill was concerned he woulo also be prohibited from buying or hiring a car during his probation and furthei he would be required to hand over the whole of his wages above £4. per week to the Probation Officer to be held i. trust during the period of his license. The shortage of fish continues to be experienced in Feilding where fish merchants and restaurants are having a very lean time. The rationing of meat has had serious repercussions on the restaurant business particularly since little, if any, fresh fish has been available for some days now -for household consumption. The enquiry for fish has stepped up considerably but fish merchants cannot supply as their supplies appear .to have been reduced out of all proportion to theii normal requirements.