YOUTH'S WEAKNESS

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 54, 5 March 1937, Page 8

YOUTH'S WEAKNESS

TOLD "FAIRY TALES." MOTOR CYCEES TAKEN. REMANDED FOR SENTENCE. A youth, of 17, Arthur Albert Poihipi, labourer, for whom Mr. Hiernacki appeared. pleaded guilty, in the Police Court to-day to a charge of unlawfully converting to his own use. on February 27, a motor cycle valued at £9H, the property of Trevor Wright Druce, and. on February 23. and a further charge of unlawfully converting to his own use a motor cycle valued a,t £50, belonging to Kenneth Pink. Mr. Biernacki said Poihipi was quite an honest boy, but unfortunately he had a weakness for motor cycles. Counsel thought he would "grow out" of this if he were given a chance. He had already been in prison on remand for one week, and realised where he was heading for. Sub-Inspector Fox said Poihipi had previously been given an opportunity of seeing where he wan heading. After being found by the owner of one cycle with th • machine in Newton. Poihipi told a "big fairy tale," and a lengthy statement taken from him by a constable was later found to be a tissue of lie*. "In fact this youth does not know how to tell the truth, and he has |'111 the police to a lot of trouble," added .Mr. Fox. "He ha» a previous conviction for the conversion of a car, and *ince then ho ha* been convicted of mischief and attempted theft." The magistrate said he felt inclined to send Poihipi to a reformatory, but before he derided what to do with him he would obtain a report from the probation officer and the Child Welfare officer. Poihipi was remanded until Tuesday for sentence.