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Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 8, 9 March 1938, Page 2

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ALLEGED CAR OOHVJ-—-J; MAORI - YOUTH CH^APJAED _ \ i THREE AIONTHS’ IAIPRISOyVAIENU A sequel to a number of car and. ’ motor-truck conversions m tlie . Opotiki borough during the past fortnightWas heard in the Opotiki J/olice Court to-day before Messrs. J. D, Clark and $ €'. Pipe J.P’s., when, a charge of unlawfully taking and converting to his. own use but net so as to be guilty ol theft within the meaning of the act, a motor-truck valued at £315 the property, of A. Alortensen, was brought •against Hii lianapia, of Opape, a. labourer. He was also, charged wiln driving a motor-vehicle without aY license. Tlie accused pleaded guilty to both charges. . l i Constable IT! AY. Beasley, who pnu-:\ ecuted, stated that on the evening of Afareli 6th., Air. Alortensen left Ins truck in front of his residence in Alain V Street at U) o’clock. Early in ti-e \ morning he received information from Air. Bell, taxi-driver,' that liis truck , was hanging over a cliff near Torere. With considerable difficulty the truciv was brought- back' to the road. Constable Beasley made inquiries at Toivre and found the truck had been taken by. the accused. Recently five dirferent- vehicles' had been taken from Opotiki and damage amounting to £25 had been done to one. Other offend® ers would appear before the children’s court. He asked the bench * tci take a serious view of the offence. The bench concurred in this view, pointing out that- terms of imprisonment. for this class of offence! werebeing imposed all over New Zealand. In Hew of accused’s previous• eonyic-, * tions a serious view was taken of hi.-; offence, but lie would be given a > chance to pull himself together. ;A penaltv of three months’ imprisonment with hard labour was imposed on the first charge and the accused was convicted and discharged- on tlie second count.