"NEEDS THE BIRCH"

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21401, 27 January 1933, Page 12

"NEEDS THE BIRCH"

YOUNG MAN'S FRAUDS TERM OF DETENTION "Tho biich would be the best thing for this young man, but unfortunately I cannot have it administered," said Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., in the Police Court jesterday. when Richard Howe, labourer, aged 24 (Mr. Aekins), appeared on 12 chaiges. There were nine charges of obtaining a total sum of £lO 18s by means of valueless cheques, one charge of attempting to obtain £3 I.os by means of a valueless cheque, and one charge of stealing a cheque book. Accused pleaded guilty to all the charges. Detective-Sergeant Martin said that accused had stolen a cheque book in December and had since then made a tour, principally of country centres, issuing valueless cheques and spending the money piinclpaliy oil liquor ami taxi-rides. "lie seems to liml it impossible to go straight for long," Mr. Aek.ns said, "lie must have a 'kink.'

"Although you iire .st,ill young, you have a very bail list, and unless you change your sty I" of living, you will Ijo declared soon a habitual criminal," said Mr. McKean.

Accused was convicted on all liie charges nnd sentenced to six months' imprisonment., to be followed by two years' reformative detention.

On u charge of being an idle and disorderly person at Pukekohe, he was remanded to appear at Pukekohe on Thursday, Detective-Sergeant Martin mentioning that there were other charges to be investigated.