A SMUG-FACED YOUNG MAN.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 280, 20 August 1915, Page 8

A SMUG-FACED YOUNG MAN.

CONVICTED OF HOTEL THEFTS

WELLINGTON, Aug. IS. The case of Michael Disraeli Joyce, a smug-faced hotel prowler who had a compulsory interview at the Magistrate’s Court with Mr. W. Cr,' 'Riddell, S.M., to-day, gives further warning ot the desirability of lodgers exercising more care with their belongings, and hotel managers also being on the alert for strange visitors. Michael Disraeli Joyce is not the sort of young man who would readily excite suspicion. He was decently dressed, clean shaven, and inoffensive enough looking to take charge of ,a Sunday school class, so it can be understood how he made his way into the Hotel Windsor, the Hotel Bristol, and even the Y.M.C.A. He had spent half an hour at the last-mentioned hostel when he was accosted by Detective Lewis and Detective Abbott, who had been waiting for him. Engaged in conversation, he said his name was Arthur Walker Henderson and that lie had recently gone to the Y.M.C.A. rooms to have a read. As the young man answered the description of one who had been disposing of stolon property about the city, the detectives asked many questions which ho was unable to satisfactorily answer, and ultimately they examined a handbag he was carrying, and discovered that it contained a pair of field glasses, a barometer, and compass. He subsequently acknowledged his identity and the fact that he had just taken the articles mentioned from the Y.M.C.A. The Sum of £1 15/ was found on him and this apparently he had obtained ! by pawning jewellery stolon from the Hotel Bristol, estimated by the owner to bo worth £l3 12/. Detective-Ser-geant Lewis explained in Court that the man had already been sentenced last week to five months’ imprisonment for several hotel thefts, and he had a previous conviction recorded against him some years ago for the same class of offence. The Magistrate sentenced the prisoner to six months’ imprisonment on two charges of stealing trinkets, etc., and overcoats valued at £ls and ten guineas respectively. He was also committed for trial on several other charges.