PLACED ON PROBATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 246, 18 October 1927, Page 5

PLACED ON PROBATION.

AND FINED £10.

HARGRAVES DEALT WITH.

DISTRICT CONSTABLE WHO LEFT

HIS POST,

Elwyn Laurence Hargraves (31), the Mangawai district constable who left his post and went on a drinking bout to induce sleep because he had been haunted by the gruesome sight of a man who had blown his head off, appeared before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., at the Police Court this morning for sentence. "I have been a little worried to know exactly what to do with this man," began the magistrate. "I have discussed the matter with the probation officer and the 'chief detective. After all, Hargraves was only a district constable—he did not have to undergo the same training as an ordinary constable. His work was really part-time work, and he was engaged by the month, while he was also permitted to take on other duties. Had he been an ordinary constable I would have given him a substantial sentence."

Mr. Hunt added that Hargraves had left for the war when only 17 and returned disabled. There was no doubt that he became affected by the suicide ease he was called upon to investigate at Kaiwaka, and afterwards left for Auckland, where he went on a drinking bout and drew cheques when he had no money in the bank. Certainly he had gone to Sydney, but he afterwards realised that he had done wrong, and re turned to give himself up.

"I therefore think that the ends of justice will be met by placing accused on probation for two years on the charge of theft and those of false pretences, while on the charge of deserting his post he will be fined £10," concluded Mr. Hunt.

On the application of Chief Detective Cummings an order for restitution of £00 was made.

Hargraves' counsel, Mr. Hall Skelton, said that full restitution had already been mafle.