YOUNG MEN'S TOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 70, 23 March 1934, Page 8

YOUNG MEN'S TOUR.

CAR FROM HASTINGS.

MOTOR MECHANICS GAOLED.

IMPRISONMENT NECESSARY.

"I am always reluctant to send young men to prison, but in the present case a term of imprisonment is necessary," said Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., in the Police Court to-day, when he consigned Geoffrey Allan Yandle (211 and Hector Gordon Kalman (22) to three months' imprisonment for unlawfully converting to their own use a motor car valued at £200, the property of Margaret Gumble.

Sir. Noble appeared for accused, who pleaded guilty. Chief Detective Sweeney said that oh March 11 the motor car was taken by both accused from a street in Hastings. For some days prior to this both Yandle and Kalman had been wandering aimlessly about the Hawke's Bay district and had been in Hastings with another youth, who had not j'ct been apprehended by the police. Accused drove the car to Palmerston North, and while on the way they ran out of benzine at Waipawa. " They deposited the spare wheel of the car to purchase benzine.

"From Palmerston North tliey drove on to Auckland, and were enjoying themselves in the car here when arrested by Detectives Packman and Whitehead,'' said Mr. Sweeney. "Kalman has one previous conviction. He was born in New Zealand. Yandle has only been in the country since 1032, when he came from England. Both arc motor mechanics, and although the engine of the motor ear is quite all right, the bodywork has been considerably damaged." Mr. Noble said it was certainly most exasperating for an owner to have her car removed, and it was difficult to know why the young men took the car, except that they were out of work, and, being motor mechanics, were tempted. Had they been older, probably they might not have yielded to temptation. Neither realised' the gravity of the offence. "Both can get jobs if your Worship lets them out of this," concluded counsel.

Mr. McKean: I suppose, then, I should tell theni they are naughty boys and that they must not do this again.

Mr. Noble: Oh, no. I think your Worship can make it more impressive than that. (Laughter.)

"Ves, I'm afraid I must," <?aid the magistrate. "According to what the police say, neither has shown any regret for what he has done."

Sentence of three months was passed on both Yandlo and Kalman.