THEFT OF BENZINE.

Northland Age, Volume 2, Issue 5, 5 February 1930, Page 4

THEFT OF BENZINE.

TWO YOUTHS CONVICTED. ONE GETS PROBATION. Theft of five tins of benzine, the property of William Subritzky of Awanm, on New Years’ Eve, was a charge preferred against two young men, Noel Bateman, unemployed motor driver, ot Whangarei, and William Subritzky, son of the man from whom the benzine was stolen, at the Magistrate’s Court last Friday. Pleading guilty, Subritzky was placed on probation for two years, while Bateman, who had previous convictions for theft against him, and who pleaded not guilty, was convicted and remanded to Whangarei for sentence. Evidence showed the two accused, with two others, * had been at Awanui in a car, and had gone to Waipapakauri to endeavour to get some beer to take to a dance at Kaitaia. Subritzky alleged „ Bateman had asked him if he knew where some benz ; ne could be “pinched,” and Subritzky had then taken him to the shed where his father’s benzine was kept, Four tins were trken from the shed to the fence on the roadside, and one tin had been placed aboard the car, when someone shone a torch on the youths. Subiitzky made off in the darkness, and B iteman got in the cir, drove a short distance down the road and jettisoned the tin of benzine before returning. Bateman’s story was that he had agreed to tike the others to Waipapakauri and then to the dance in Kaitaia provided they supplied the benzine. Subritzky had told him he would get him a tin ot benzine from his father’s shed, and when they got to the ♦ shed Subritzky had said they would take two tins each. Four tins were taken to the fence, and and Subritzky had placed one in the car when a torch was shone on them. Seeing Subritzky make off, Bateman stated, he had, guessed there was somethTngf wrong and had driven a short distance down the road and then thrown out the tin of benzine which had been placed " in the car. He stated Subritzky had prenvsed him one tin, and seeing that the benzine belonged to Subritzky’s father he had thought it would be quite alright to take it at Subritzky’s instigation. Pleading Subritzky was weakminded and had been under the influence of liquor, Mr. R. Kelly suggested two years’ probation and a prohibition order would meet the case, provided Subritzky stayed with his present employer. Expressing the that Subritzky had acted under Bateman’s influence, Mr. G. N. Morris, S.M. agreed to this course. Bateman, who was out on bail, was convicted and remanded to Whangarei for sentence.