PETTY THEFTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 52, Issue 248, 2 August 1932, Page 6

PETTY THEFTS.

YOUNG MAN CONVICTED. (Special to the "Guardian ") TIMAIIU, This Day. A young man named Arthur Gibson appeared in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr C. R. Orr-Walker, S.M., on charges of theft of various articles from towns between Christchurch and Timaru. Accused pleaded guilty to the theft of a bicycle valued at £5, the property of Frederick South, Orari Bridge; a repeating rifle, a razor and a collar, valued at £l, the property of Steven H 3. Beckingsale, of Hinds; and a bicycle lamp value at 7s 6d, the property of Edna Grice, of Christchurch.

The Probation Officer (Mr W. A. Gumming) said that accused, who was nearly 20 years of age, had been a ward "of the State until, May 30, when he was discharged. Accused had told the Welfare Officer in Wellington that he had a position to go to in Geraldine, but it had since been ascertained that the person to whose station accused was supposed to be going did not exist. Accused was then destitute and was staying at the Salvation Army shelter in Buckle Street, Wellington. The Child Welfare Department had provided accused with a steamer ticket and £1 pocket money to come to Geraldine, but he had since been wandering about the country. He had been as far south as North Otago. If the Court gave accused another chance the Department would make inquiries through other branches with a view to finding him employment. . .

The Magistrate entered a conviction, and ordered accused to come up tor sentence if called upon within twelve months.