THEFT OF CYCLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 204, 29 August 1934, Page 8

THEFT OF CYCLE.

LABOURER PLEADS GUILTY.

CHANCE TO PAY FOR MACHINE.

The theft of a cycle, valued at £4 10/, on December .13 of last year, was admitted by Lucien Blackburn, aged 22, labourer, who appeared in the Police Court to-dav.

Inspector Edwards said . Blackburn went to Ronald Henry Stuart, a cycle dealer, in December last, and said he wanted to buy a machine of a certain design. As the complainant did not have one in stock he lent accused a secondhand cycle worth' £4 10/. Blackburn paid 5/ "deposit on the new machine. "Mr. Stilart did not see Blackburn again until yesterday in Newmarket, when he gave him in charge," added the - inspector. "Not long after he got the cycle Blackburn sold it for £1 10/. This young man has only been in the country 18 months, and already has one previous conviction." . .

The magistrate, Mr. McKean, told Blackburn that he was not making a very good start in New Zealand. Blackburn said he would have paid for the cycle before this had he been successful in obtaining regular employment. "I pot the cycle to take on a canvassing job at 5/ per week and commission, but I could not earn any commission at all," he said. "Then I went into the country. I have worked on farms for small wages almost.ever since I came to New Zealand. Farm work does not suit me intellectually. I can go to camp to-morrow for 10/ per week and found, and if given a chance I will repay the dealer for the cycle." . The magistrate adjourned the case for three months to give Blackburn an opportunity of making restitution.