CONROY GOES TO GAOL

NZ Truth, Issue 1150, 15 December 1927, Page 9

CONROY GOES TO GAOL

Ex-Pire Brigade Superintendent Harry Tait.

Picture Showman- Squatter To Pay For Crime

(From "N.Z. Truth's" New Plymouth Representative.) A YOUTH of 19 sailed frpm. the Homeland for New .Zealand'with high hopes and aspirations. No doubt they will be realized when the shadow of a man's perfidy passes from his - troubled mind, and that man is Albert Morgan ■.Conroy, wealthy farmer and entertainment proprietor near Hawera, Taranalri. ■ • ■ . •

CONROY secured' the boy's confidence before assaulting him, and finally

appeared before** two justices of the peace at Eltham, to answer serious charges,* involving other boys as well. The result of this preliminary hearing, Avhen the boys concerned gave their evidence which proved so damning to Conroy, has already been dealt with in "New Zealand Truth."

sault and to six months' imprisonment on the charge of attempted suicide, the sentences to be concurrent. Thje evidence of the 19-year-old youth at the lower court hearing went to show that he had met Conroy at the Hawera Opera House, of which the accused was the proprietor. _•-..-■

Recently,' Conroy appeared before Justice Ostler at the New Plymouth Supreme Court, indicted on -ten charges of a serious-nature and also a further charge of attempted suicide He was represented by Lawyers T. M. Wilford and P. O'Dea. The second offence was an attempt to escape trial and possible

That night he was taken to the farm at Matapu and given sleeping quarters, Conroy engaging him for work, on the farm. Three days later he was, given quarters in the house, and about a week after his arrival Conroy sont his chauffeur out to bring him to Hawera.; Further privi-

Apprehended

punißhment. for the other charges. Crown Prosecutor Weaton, in briefly outlining the case to the jury, said that one of the youths against whom the accused had committed offences, was a youth but recently arrived from England. The evidence in all charges was fairly conclusive. At the end of the day a verdict 'of guilty on the charge of attempted suicide was returned by the jury, but they failed to agi-ee on the other charges. A re-trial was ordered and at the request of Lawyer Wilford, Conroy was again immediately charged with the offences.

He thereupon pleaded guilty to six of the major charges and a nolle prosequi in regard to the other charges was granted. The following day his honor sentenced Conroy to two years' imprisonment on the charges of as-

. leg os were ex--1 tended to him. Conroy showing him how to opei - - ate the pianola in the house. On several occasions the car was sent out from Hawera to bring him into town, and he was later appointed Chauffeur for his employer. Later on Conroy paid several visits to the young man's room 'and then assaulted him. This witness said he did not know definitely what the accused's object was, but he had been forewarned regarding - him. Another witness said Conroy had asked him into his office at the theatre and there showed. him certain photos and tried to. get him to accept them. Witness had refused., and left the office. ■'*.■''

And now Albert Morgan Conroy, ■onetime' reputable member of society and a man of means, is paying the penalty for his crimes.