Man Served Gaol for Offence Another Confessed

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 43, 21 February 1938, Page 6

Man Served Gaol for Offence Another Confessed

Per Press Association WELLINGTON, Feb. 19. Unusual procedure was carried out in the Magistrate’s Court to-day when two charges of car conversion against Thomas Henry Hale, aged 25, labourer, were reheard before Mr W. F. Stilwell, S.M. In the case of one charge he had pleaded not guilty originally but had been convicted and sentenced to a term in gaol. Later another man charged with other offences had admitted this offence. The admission might have been true or otherwise, it was stated, but in view of the doubt the department had ad vised the accused to ask for a re-hear-ing. The accused was an old offendei and was making his 24th appearance in Court. He had already served six months of the two-year sentence imposed for the conversion of the car mentioned. Counsel said that this should be taken into consideration in connection with the other charge, to which the accused had pleaded guilty and had been convicted and ordered to come up for sentence The Magistrate said that the suggestion should be acceded to. The accused had served approximately six months on the charge now dismissed for want of evidence. The action of the police was quite praiseworthy, having regard to all the circumstances. The accused was ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within 12 months and was ordered to pay wit-; nesses’ expens*-

The value of building plana approved in January is estimated at £8,583,300 compared with £8,395,200 in January, 3537. The figures for the whole of 1937 show a decrease to £110,921,000 from £117,032,100 in 1936.—Official .Wireless.

Queen Mary paid a visit on Saturday to Princess Mary’s village homes at Addlesstone, Surrey, of which she is patroness. It was her first visit for 17 years. Official Wireless.