SERIOUS CHARGES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 199, 20 May 1936, Page 7

SERIOUS CHARGES

Sheep-stealing, Arson and Mischief YOUTHS IN TROUBLE Dominion Special Service. Wanganui, May 19. A serious list of charges was preferred against William Robert Keane, aged 24, married, a labourer, in the Wanganui Magistrate's Court to-day, before Mr. J. 11. Salmon. S.M. Pleading guilty, he was remanded for sentence until Monday next on two charges of sheep-stealing and one of theft of benzine. Hector Francis Gray, aged 22, a labourer, also pleaded guilty, and was admitted to 12 months’ probation. Keane pleaded guilty to another charge of theft of benzine, two further charges of sheep-stealing, a charge of arson and to a charge of wilfully setting fire to a motor-truck. On the latter two he was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. 'Theft of Sheep. Detective J. Murray said in October last Keane took a scrub-cutting contract at the back of Waverley. and employed Gray. On October .30 they were both returning to their whare and Keane saw a sheep on the roadside which he caught and killed, and later they both ate the carcase. A few days later Keane put his dog on to a sheep which was later killed and skinned. The benzine was stolen from a drum. The theft of sheep was a matter of concern to farmers in the district, said Detective Murray, and Keane had trained his dog to throw and hold a sheep down for several minutes. The magistrate placed Gray on probation for 12 months, taking into account the peculiar circumstances of being under the domination of Keane, Mischief and Arson, Elliott Robert Jamieson, car salesman for Dominion Motors, Limited, Wanganui. said he sold Keane a half-ton motor-truck for £lO on terms. He later received a note from accused, who stated he could not afford to pay any more money as the truck had been destroyed by fire. At that time the car still remained his firm's property. Clifford John Dickie, sheep-farmer, of Waverley, gave evidence concerning the contract with Keane, and said he valued the whare nt £.lO. Hector Francis Gray said that, the truck when not in use was left about six feet away from the whare. On October 26, 19.35, he and accused decided to visit accused's wife. Keane started the lorry, but when he put it in gear the gear-box broke in half and parts of it fell on the ground. Keane said the best thing to do was to burn it, and took some benzine from the tank. Accused- then suggested making the affair more realistic by setting fire to the whare. 'This was done. The same evening witness left the district in accordance with his previous intentions. Detective J. Murray detailed his investigations and read a statement in which accused admitted the offences, ONLY ONE FOOTBALL MATCH PLAYED Foxton Scouts’ Meeting Foxton, May 19. Only one football match was played at Foxton on Saturday. United beat Shannon seniors on the home ground by 8 points to .3. The match was rather ragged and there, was not a large attendance. Woods .scored for .shannon and Mails scored two tries for United, converting one. Footballer Injured. A Foxton senior player. X’, Huff, fractured his right arm below the elbow while playing in a match. Athletic v. Foxton, at Levin on .Saturday. Herrington Golf Club. The first inter-club match of the season was played between the Rangitikei and Herrington golf clubs on the Herrington links cm Saturday afternoon. The Herrington club won by eight holes to seven, the following being the results of individual play, Foxton players being mentioned first : —L. Bryant beat N. Amon; J. D. Purcell lost to 11. Signal; J. 11. Purcell beat H. K. Drew; I). Wisliart beat A. Amon; B. Collins beat G. Bertram ; L. Saywell lost to L. Ransom ; R. Robinson beat It. Dalrymple; Bev. Father Rohan lost to G. Flower: J. R. Newton lost to S. Collier; A. K. Maidens lost, to W. Drew; J. Newton lost to L. ASadler. Fourball: L. 0. Bryant and J. D. Purcell halved with N. Amon and 11. Signal; J. 11. Purcell and D. Wishart beat H. K. Drew and A. Amon; B. Collins and L. Saywell bent G. Bertram ami L. Ranson; R. Robinson and Rev. Father Rohan beat R. Dalrymple and G. Flower; J. R. Newton rind A. K. Maidens lost to S. Collier and IV. Drew. Scouts’ Meetings, A meeting of the Foxton Boy Scouts management committee was held last week. The election of officers resulted ns follows: —Committee. Mesdame.o Haines. G. Walls, Everton, Mohekey. Ebliett. Messrs. Macdonald, sen., G. V. Fraser, J. Shorthouse. R. Marston. Rev. Burgen and E. A. Field; secretary, Mr. J. Christie (subject to consent). A proposal is afoot to change the troop from land to sea scouts. Government Appointment. The Mayor. Mr. M. E. Perreau. has received notification of his appointment as Government representative on the Foxton ll,arbour Board Io fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. F. C. Raikes. New Pump Bought. The Manawatu Heads Volunteer Fire Brigade has purchased a manual pump to assist in fire-fighting at the seaside. The pump will he fed from the house tanks at the scene of the fire. YOUNG MAN GUILTY OF SERIOUS OFFENCE Wanganui, May 19. After a retirement of two hours, the jury brought in a verdict of guilty in the Supreme Court to-day against George Sydney Thomas Balsley. aged 22, a butcher’s assistant, who pleaded not guilty to a charge of indecently assaulting a girl aged 11 at Waitotara on April .3 last. The trial, heard before Mr. Justice Smith, lasted all day. Ho was remanded for sentence until the end of the session. In the Wanganui Basketball Association’s championships, following are the points scored by teams to date:—First division: Y.M.C.A. Gymnasium 6. Nga Ton 4. Technical College 4. Glencoe 2, Sacred Heart 2. Y.M.C.A. Club 2, Kia Ora 0. McKenzie’s 0. Second division: Kia Ora 6. Y.M.C.A. Club 6, Nga Ton 4, Cambridge B 4, Cambridge A 2. Glencoe 2. Girls’ College B 2. Girls’ College C 2, Sacred Heart 2, Girls' College Al), Intermediate 0. Tn the first division, McKenzie’s and Glencoe each have 11 game to jil,ay with Sacred Heart.