CAR DAMAGED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 236, 5 October 1937, Page 19

CAR DAMAGED.

MAORIS PLEAD GUILTY.

ATTEMPT TO STEAL SUITCASES

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

ROTORUA, this day. A sequel to a chase through the Government gardens during the early hours of Sunday morning was heard in the Rotorua Police Court yesterday, when three natives, George Jacobs, John Hona and John Hall, all of Ohinemutu, were charged with the attempted theft of several suitcases from a motor ear, the property of Raymond Phillips. Senior-Sergeant Carroll said that, shortly after midnight, Mr. Phillips' attention was attracted by a noise outside the hotel at which he was staving. On investigating he found the defendant Hona sitting on the running board of his car, which was parked outside the hotel, while one of the rear windows of bis ear had been smashed and other damage done. Mr. Phillips asked a friend to keep an eye on Hona while he went for the police, but the native escaped and was chased into the Government gardens. Constable R. Dunn arrived promptly in response to a telephone call, and, after a search through the gardens, eventually arrested Hona as he was making his way out through the entrance gates. As a result of further inquiries, two other i natives were arrested as being also implicated in the matter. Hona had admitted after his arrest that, with two other natives, he had broken the window I of the car with the intention of stealing some suitcases which were inside.

All three men pleaded guilty and were admitted to probation for twelve months. They were ordered to make good the damage done to the car.