COURT NEWS

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 196, 19 June 1939, Page 3

COURT NEWS

SERIES OF THEFTS ACCUSED PLEADS GUILTY ■ COMMITTED ' FOR SENTENCE A long list of charges were .made against Robert Edward Sherman, at the Courthouse this morning before Alessls. F. J .Short ancii J. D. Clark, •J.P’s.The charges were as follows: On 17th. June did break and enter the Devonshire*' Boardinghouse and stealing a razor and strop, valued at £l. the property of G. Warrington. On, loth. .June at- Otara, breaking and entering the dwelling house of Sam Out-ts, and 'Stealing a pair ot shoes, trousers and scarf, valued at £l 7s 6d. On 7th. June at AVaiocka, breaking and entering the dwelling house ot Reginald Stuart and stealing a cliroin-ixun-plated cigarette case and the sum of 225. On 7th. June at AVaiocka breaking and entering the dwelling bouse cl Brian Gilmore and stealing £'2 and a pocket wallet containing papers and four Young Farmers’ Club badges, ot a total value of £3 4s Od. On 17th. June, breaking and entering the Devonshire hoarding house by night and stealing £3- os and a bunch of ten keys, andi sundry articles of the total value of £4. the property of Francis AA'arrcn. On 17th. June, entering the-. Devonshire hoarding-house with intent ter commit a 'crime therein. •Sergeant J. tshister prosecuted and accused conducted his own defence. The sergeant stated that accused was arrested on Saturday morning on a charge of stealing Warren’s properu and since then other charges had been laid.

The first witness, Arthur F. AVarret), a driver in the employment or the New Zealand Road! Services. Gv borne, stated that’ oil 17th. June -ho arrived at Opotiki .early that morning at about 1.15 a.m. and went to the Devonshire Boarding-house and was given a room with another service-car driver. The door of the room was shut and his clothing was left alongside the bed on the floor. AA'itncss was called at 5 a.m. by 'the proprietor and noticed his jacket- on the mat and Iris trousers by the door. A wallet was missing from a pocket containing £3 and sundry papers. Five shillings were missing from the trousers, as were tiie keys. The articles exhibited were his. John S. AleAlanaway, clerk employed by the Public Works Department, said he way living at the Devonshire boarding-liou.se, in a- separate building from that occupied by the previous witness. AA'itncss arrived home at 12.30 on the morning of the 17th. and went to bed and was asleep shortly after. He was awakened at 2.34 by a sqeaking of the door and saw a hand come through the door and remove a pair of trousers from behind a curtain. Witness switched on the lights at the same • time asking who was there. He sprang out of bed and the intruder ran away.

George I). Warrington, son of the proprietor of the Devonshire hoardinghouse, stated that cm the night oi the Kith., accused arrived at his place at 9.30 and left at 9.45. Next morning witness was told that money was missing. Accused had asked) for a loan oi his razor to, have a shave*but witness did not. lend it. The following morning lie discovered the razor and strop missing. ’Those exhibited in the court were bis and were valued at about £l. .Sergeant. J. Isbister stated that at 11.15 a.m. on Saturday 17th. June lie went with Constable Rathie to the Central boarding-house and saw accused outside the house. The sergeant told accused Jie would like to have a, look through his room and was taken to the room lie occupied. \\ itnoss then informed accused that he was suspected of being in the Devonshire boarding-house on tlie previous night and of stealing money and other articles there. Accused at first denied the charges but while Constable Rath, ie wild witness were talking to accused. witness noticed accused take a bunch of keys from his pocket. Witness informed accused the keys answered the description of the ones lost, by Warren, and acused then admitted being in the Devonshire, and at the same time produced three £1 notes which lie admitted having stolen from Warren’s room. Accused showed witness where the razor and strop were hidden under the house. When accused was searched at the Police station later tin* sum of Os 9d was

our Government legislation. Mr; Short, touched an the need for having, rolls for both Maoris and Europeans and stated 4 tlmt Maoris had voted for both Maori and European candidates.

At the council meetings held at Wellington it. was decided to try and bring’ in the youth movement and political research. After reading the scheme of work in connection with

the latter, Mr. Short, stressed the very important step being taken ”by the party in connection with the movement and said he was going to ask Mr. East to report on that aspect. Reference was made to rumours of new political parties coining into the field for the next election, and special mention was made of the likelihood of action along, that line being taken by tlie Farmers’ Union.' The chairman contended that no other party besides the National Party had a possible chance of putting out the Labour Government. Such parties would only split the votes and put Labour back again. Rumours of other parties were briefly touched on and Mr. Short advised supporters not'to countenance any other party in the Bay electorate.

Labour financially had come to chaos. The London; credits had been squandered and many more millions besides. The' --National Party had gained grounds fat, the last election

and thei ideals of the party could not he beaten. The party was out. for the benefit of the people of the Dominion.

At this stage Mr. Kemp rose and asked if lie could make some reference to the Farmers’ Union. (J'n being granted permission to speak, Mr. Kemp pointed out that the great majority of farjfaers were members of the National Party. He issued a warning that there was the likelihood of a “farmers” candidate unless the Nationalists took, more interest in the affairs of the Farmers’ Union. The Farmers’ Union wanted a member who was going to help the farmers—they did not have that to-day. It was up to the Nationalists to take interest in .the affairs of the young farmers’ clubs.

Before calling on Mr. East to explain the youth movement, Mr.- Short said the farmers were having great difficulties under Labour rule. ."The farmers were not able to get labour and could not pay competitive wages. Eighty thousand less cows were being. milked than three years ago. The Nationalists intended to give t-lpe farming industry every ment, concluded Mr. Short.

Mr. East _ then .presented a very comprehensive report on the youth movement, and particularly stressed the point that the young people must be taught- that life wa-s a struggle and not to follow teachings that would, encourage the soft and easy path. The highest ideals must be instilled into the young people. The chairman, in referring to the youth movement, said members cordd see .that the National Party stood for more "than winning the next election. Mr. T. Steele congratulated Mr.

Fast and the committee which had gone so fully .into the youth movement at Hamilton, and . said it was very important for members to know exactly, what the. National Party stoodi for. He moved that a subcommittee be formed to go into the question of policy. -- Mr. Short reminded 'members that the policy of the party was made by the members of the party itself. Air. Holmes seconded the motion whicli was carried.

On the motion of the chairman, the ladies’ committee was. thanked for providing supper, the motion being carried by acclamation.

A vote. of. thanks, to the chair concluded the meeting.