Trail Of Thefts, Broke Gaol At Rawene

Northern Advocate, 25 November 1942, Page 4

Trail Of Thefts, Broke Gaol At Rawene

Convicted on seven charges of theft, Thomas Wikaia, aged 19, was today sentenced by Mr. Raymond Ferner, S.M., at Whangarei, to three months’ hard labour, followed by 12 months’ reformative detention.

Senior-Sergeant Henderson said that early this year Wikaira left the Maori Battalion without leave, going to Auckland and working at a quarry at Otahuhu. In July he went to his brother’s house at Panmure. stealing a watch valued at £ 12. The watch was later recovered from a pawn shop, where accused had pawned it for £l. On September 28 he was released from military detention and the following morning stole a bicycle from the main street in Kaikohe. riding it as far as Opononi, where it was discarded.

While living at Waimamuku he took three letters from the mail box of Mr. D. R. Ambler.

Two letters were of no importance, but the third contained a valuable legal document. All three were destroyed. On September 29, when on his way to Opononi, the accused took a parcel from a cream stand at Whirinaki. and removed the sum of £4/9/7. leaving the remainder of the contents on the road. Of the money £2 has been recovered.

Escaped From Gaol

On October 9 Wikaii’a was arrested at Waimamaku and lodged in the lock-up at Rawene. from which he escaped the next day. After his escape he stole a coat and a pair of trousers, valued at £7, from a man who befriended him, discarding the clothing in which he escaped. He finally went to Auckland, and from his father's home in Panmure, stole a suitcase, coat, safety razor, two prayer books, a shirt and two pullovers, of a total value of £3/5/-.

. Wikaira was born in Hokianga. but had resided for some years in the Auckland district. He had volunteered for ai-my service, but had been absent without leave pi'actically ever since. "Wikaira appeal’s to have developed into a persistent thief, and does not remain long in one place. He is in need of restriction and discipline. He has not pi’eviously been befoi'e the court.” said Senior-Sei'geant Henderson. On the charge of stealing the watch, accused was sentenced as stated. He was convicted and discharged on the other chai'ges.