CONVERSION OF CAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19255, 18 February 1926, Page 12

CONVERSION OF CAR.

TWO MEN SENT TO PRISON. A PLEA OF DRUNKENNESS., "Motop-cars should be tapn to all except owners," said Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday, in ijnppsing sentences of seven days' imprisonment upon Henry Johnson, itged and William Henry Thompson, aged 36 (Mr. McLiver), who appeared on remend charged with converting to •thijir ujja ir, Karangahape Road a raoitor-car valued at £3OO. Constable Crane,, recalled, stated he saw Thompson turning the cranking-handle «nd Johnson sitting at the wheel, He arrested Thompson, hut the othar icctan escaped, only to be captuyed later. Mr. McLiver said accused made their appearance as the, result of celebrations, and were both under the influence of liquor when arrested. They were both hard-working men, and their employers waated them back. Johnson said he did not remember anything after leaving the hotel where they were drinking. The Magistrate: How long i» it sincO you became a bus driver? Accused: Nine years. The Magistrate: Well, you sshouid know „ that petrol and alcohol do not.. make a wholesome mixture. Sergeant Calwell said Johnson had been before the Court for drunkenness about a month previously, while Thompson had a list and had already been convicted for conversion of a car. Mr. McLiver said that if the facts of that case had been known no conviction would have been entered. Accused got into a car merely to move it i'rom a raak at the races to enable him to get his own vehicle away. The magistrate said he could not impose a fine. If the men had started the car the result could well be imagined as they were both drunk.