"CONVERSION" OF TAXI.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 215, 11 September 1931, Page 10

"CONVERSION" OF TAXI.

■YOUNG MAN GIVEN PROBATION.

On a charge. of. unlawfully converting to his own.'oi&e a motor car, valued at £180, the property of Martin Peter Lynch, a young man'named John Leggatt Meek was placed', on probation for two years at the Police Court this morning. Meek, who, is a labourer, . was also charged " with 'being . intoxicated while in charge Qf, a. car in Lincoln Road on September' 2. ... . . Mr. Noble, who represented accused, said the owner of the car was a taxidriver with wh6m Meek had been drinking in a" hotel on September' 2. ; Ttey later went to a foqtball Vniatch, where one of Lynch , ? 1 friends asked Meek to drive him home. went for a joyride, however, ind the car was damaged. Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M.: Is that true, Mr. Kelly I Detective Sergeant Kelly: No, sir. Lynch, said Mr. Kelly, gave no one authority to remove his car, which had been damaged to the extent of £15. The case was adjourned until later in the morning while Lynch was found to give evidence. 'He said he had met Meek in a hotel last Wednesday, and had not known him previously. Mr. Noble: Did you tell the boy's father that if you had said who took your car you would not get any insurance ?-^No. The Probation Officer, Mr. W. J. Campbell, said he did not think Meek should be called on to make full restitution, as the taxi-driver's friend was in the car with him. , Meek was placed on probation for two years and ordered to make restitution to the extent of £7. He was convicted and discharged on the second count.