Converted Car Strikes Pole

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 180, 2 August 1938, Page 2

Converted Car Strikes Pole

YOUTH BEFORE MAGISTRATE Pleading guilty to converting two cars to his own use, a lad named William Charles Buchanan, aged 19, garage attendant, was admitted to probation for three years in the Palmerston North Magistrate’s Court yesterday. It was a special condition of the order that accused shall not drive a car unless authorised to do so by the probation officer and remain in such employment as the probation' officer approves of. Buchanan took from thel garage where he was working, a car that had been left there for greasing, and drove with a companion to Foxton. Returning about midnight, the car skidded when approaching Longburn, and when accused applied the brakes, turned completely around for the rear portion to crash into a telegraph pole and cause damage to the car that will cost £125 to repair. The car was valued at £SOO. Previous to that escapade, Buchanan took another car valued at S2OO to go on a similar jaunt; Mr H. P. Lawry, S.M., pointed out to accused that he had been in a position of trust and people put their cars in a garage for the express purpose of having them protected. One felt like sending him to Borstal because the practice of converting cars was becoming too common. However, the probation officer’s report was favourable and he would extend probation. Buchanan was ordered to make good such of the damage as the probation officer thought lit.