PROBATION GRANTED

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 57, 5 September 1945, Page 5

PROBATION GRANTED

OFFENCES BY YOUNG MEN

Probation for two years was granted in each case by the Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers) when Pihikete Takerei Kawana, 21, soldier and labourer, Teri Kerei, 22, soldier and mill hand, and Angus Pitiera Wamohu, 21, labourer, appeared in the Supreme Court yesterday for sentence for breaking and entering and theft. The offences concerned the Waterloo and Wellington Hotels, Kawana having been involved in both offences and each of the other two prisoners in one case only. Orders were made for payment of the costs of prosecution and for restitution or compensation to the value of the stolen money and liquor. "One thing I have always set my face against is doing anything that might tend to manufacture a criminal," said his Honour in granting probation for two years to Arthur Claude Just, 27, fibrous plasterer. The prisoner had pleaded guilty at Palmerston North to two charges of breaking and entering and theft, five charges of forgery, four of theft, and one of attempted theft. He told the Court that he had committed the offences at a time when he was desperate for money, having been unable to earn anything through illness. The Probation Officer said that Just's brother would give him employment and guaranteed repayment of £55 of the £112 that had been stolen, within seven days. The prisoner was ordered to pay the costs of the prosecution, to make restitution of the balance of the stolen money, and to take up the employment that had been offered him. "See that you take advantage of the opportunity that has been given you," said his Honour. "I have had a good deal of hesitation about it, but I think that, on the whole, the course I am taking is justified."