CAR CONVERSION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 206, 31 August 1936, Page 9

CAR CONVERSION.

STORY DISBELIEVED.

YOUNG MAORI SENTENCED.

A young Maori. George Renata, aged 29, labourer, was charged in the Otahuhu Police Court to-day with unlawfully'converting a car to his own use, with driving while in a state of intoxication, and with not having a driver's license, lie pleaded not guilty on the, first two counts, but guilty on the third. Sergeant Caliill said that on Thursday last Renata had taken a car, valued at* £300, belonging to Norman Austin, and had driven it through a fence at the junction of Atkinson Avenue and Mount Wellington Highway. He ms arrested and brought to the Otahuhu station, where he was certified by a doctor to be intoxicated. Evidence was given by several witnesses that the accused was the sole occupant of the car, which was driven at an excessive speed. Renata said that he had been feeling ill and had had a few drinks. A friend had offered to drive him home to mure, and he had met his friend outside the hotel. Soon after entering the car Renata fell asleep, and had been awakened with a jerk when the car went through a fence. The friend had left him in the car, and had gone to secure help, and he, Renata, was still there when arrested. , Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M.: I do mot believe a word of your story, and you are convicted on all charges. On the first charge Renata received three months, and on the second two months, to be cumulative.