CHARGES OF THEFT.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 February 1922, Page 6

CHARGES OF THEFT.

MAORI BEFORE COURT. REFORMATIVE TREATMENT * ORDERED. Charges of theft against a young Maori, Henry Kaipo, which had been adjourned for a week were dealt with in the New Plymouth Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning. Kaipo bad pleaded guilty last week to four charges of theft from the Club Hotel, Waitara, the value of the stolen property being £l4 odd.

A plea on- behalf of accused was made by Mr. A. A. Bennett who urged that the Court was entitled to grant probation If it was thought such a course would save Kaipo from a criminal career. He remarked' that accused had been quite frank about the offences and counsel also pointed out that the thefts were committed while Kaipo was under the influence of drink.

His Worship (Mr. A. M. Mowlem) said the case had caused him a good deal of thought, but he was not concerned so much for the prisoner as for his father and people who were trying to lead useful lives. It was a fact, however, that Kaipo had taken no lessons from the penalties inflicted on three previous occasions and His Worship was of opinion it would be a serious stretching of the terms of the Probation Act, and even futile to give accused probation. Kaipo would be detained for reformative treatment for a period not-exceed-ing twelve months. An order had already been made directing that the stolen property be returned to the various owners.