"A WEAKNESS FOR CARS."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19251, 13 February 1926, Page 12

"A WEAKNESS FOR CARS."

THEFT ADMITTED BY YOUTH. THE QUESTION OF PROBATION. [BY TBTuEQB APH. •—•OWN COKBESX'DKDENT. 1 CHRISTCHtrRCH, Friday. A youth, Harold Hogv/ood, aged 17, who had admitted stealing a motor-car belonging to B. M. Watson, came up for sentence to-day. Mr. Thomas, on behalf of accused, said Hog wood had a very good record in the office at Canterbury College, but he had a weakness in respect of motor-cars. L. A. Stringer, registrar of the college, said Hogwood had been in the college office for two years and was quite a success there. He had been responsible for some accounts. Witness was convinced that there was no dishonesty in the lad. His Honor: How do you account for his talcing motor-cars? Witness: He has an obsession of sope kind. He has motor-cars on the brainthere is no doubt about that. He is a splendid boy in the office and I would take him back without hesitation if the Board of Governors consented. Mr. Donnelly, Crown Prosecutor, said the theft of motor-cars was a grave offence which was increasing. There "must be some guarantee that people could leave cars and 'bicycles in the street. Hogwood changed the number plates on the stolen car and did not attempt to return it. , His Honor said in one respect the theft of cars in Christchurch was comparable to the theft of bicycles, which were very plentiful here. . Mr. Donnelly said when a number plate was removed troin a car there might be nothing by which' to identify it. His Honor said at present he had the gravest doubts about admitting f-logwood to probation, Uut would : , r«maud liij» until Monday.