THEFT OF RIFLES. "NOT FIT TO BE A VOLUNTEER."

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24, 30 January 1911, Page 7

THEFT OF RIFLES. "NOT FIT TO BE A VOLUNTEER."

YOUNG TERRITORIAL IN TROUBLE. 'Appearing on remand, a young territorial named Joseph Percival Revell was brought before Mr. W. G. Ridddl, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court this morning for sentence on the following charges :— (1) That on the 24th January, at Wellington, he stole three -rifles, valued at £11, the property of the New Zealand Government; and (2) that on the 18th January, at Karori, he committed theft of a white tunic, a cap, a pair of trousers,' and a belt, valued at £3, the property of the New . Zealand Government. Revel had admitted both charges on Saturday. , Chief-Detective Broberg informed the court that accused had really stolen only two rifles ; the third was merely not accounted for. The rifles belonged to the Wellington Guards, of which Revell was a member, and had been stolen from the orderly room in Bucklestreet. Accused had sold one" of the rifles to a second-haaid dealer for 15s, white the other was found in his possession when arrested by Detective Cassslls. The articles mentioned in the second chaTge-also belonged to the sama company, and were stolen from the camp at Karori, while Revell himself was in charge. Accused was only seventeen years of age. His mother was a confirmed invalid. At the time of his arrest, Revell was about to go to a newjob. A month ago accused had been convicted on two charges of theft, and was then, ordered to come up for sentence whea caßed upon. Mr. O'Leary, on behalf of accused, said that RevelPs employer would be still pjrepared to take him. A few shillings were coming to accused — sufficient to bay the rifie back. Counsel submitted that it would be hard to send the boy among criminals. Bayell wept as he made a statement from the dock to the effect that he only borrowed the clothes while his own were being mended. He was then arrested. The Magistrate : Have the goods in the second charge been recovered? The Chief-Detective : No, but Detective CasseHs states that he can easily recover them from information, supplied by accused. His Worship gave the young man another chance, and mingled socie sound advice vrith the statement : "It is perfectly clear you were not fit to be a. volunteer." Revell was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon, on condition that he refunds ths 15s obtained on th© rifle sold ; the stolen property to-be returned to the officers of the corps.