Theft Of Bicycle Brings Gaol Sentence

Northern Advocate, 18 December 1942, Page 6

Theft Of Bicycle Brings Gaol Sentence

“People who steal bicycles know the penalty that aw'aits them. There has been far too much stealing of bicycles and it is the duty of the court to check these thefts.” These observations were made in the Whangarei Court today by the magistrate (Mr. Raymond Ferner), when sentencing Aporo Pirihi, 44, a Maori quarryman. to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour for theft of a man’s bicycle valued at £lO.

Cyclists had been stopped last night by Constable Snow' in an endeavour to locate missing bicycles, and at Otaika he had stopped Pirihi, w'ho had told him that the machine he was riding had been borrowed from a friend and then that he had taken it from outside the skating rink, said Senior-Sergeant A. Henderson. The bicycle had been missing since October 31 when it had been reported stolen.

“For some months the thefts of many bicycles have been reported to the police and although some have been recovered others are still missing,” said SeniorSergeant Henderson. “Besides being a nuisance and an inconvenience, these thefts cause extra work for the police. Six have been recovered from Otaika in the vicinity of where Pirihi was accosted last night.” Drink (he Trouble Pirihi had never been before the court previously for dishonesty although he had several convictions for drunkenness and other charges. Apparently drink was his trouble, and, as a certified quarryman, he was a hard worker when at work, but lately he had been hanging about Whangarei. When drunk Pirihi was an intolerable nuisance, but he had . taken out a prohibition order and. if sent to work in ihe country, probably would be all right. Pirihi was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour on the theft charge, while no evidence w'as offered by (he police on a charge that Pirihi was idle and disorderly, having insufficient lawful means of support. This charge was dismissed.