LEAVES IN HAIR

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 41, 18 February 1943, Page 6

LEAVES IN HAIR

MAORI YOUTH'S ARREST

OBSERVANT CONSTABLE

(0.C.) „ ROTORUA, this day. How an observant constable, during the course of inquiries made in respect to a person being on enclosed property without lawful excuse, noticed pieces of hedge leaves embedded in the hair of the accused and in his room, was told in the Magistrate's Court when Joseph Whareatiu, a Maori, aged 17, appeared before Mr. W. H. Freeman, S.M. Whareatiu was charged with being deemed to be a rogue and vagabond, in that he was found by night on the enclosed property of Allan Joseph Campbell. This charge was withdrawn, and accused was then called upon to answer for being without lawful excuse on enclosed premises in circumstances not disclosing the commission of an offence. He pleaded guilty. There appeared to be no reasonable explanation for the accused's act, stated Sergeant McLeod. Accused had been previously apprehended for being on premises with intent to steal, and had then been convicted and sentenced to two years' probation. " "I think it was due to curiosity," said the sergeant, when asked by the Bench for his opinion. "I think it's a sort of Peeping Tom complex." This was the second time accused had been before the Court for a similar offence, said the magistrate, but, as accused was the sole supporter of his mother, he would this time be dealt with "I am going to give you one more opportunity/' added Mr.. Freeman. "If you are caught again I will send you to a Borstal. You twill be .co.nvicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within 12 months."