POST OFFICE THEFT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22210, 10 September 1935, Page 13

POST OFFICE THEFT

CASE OF MAORI YOUTH PERIOD OF DETENTION A Maori youth, Tiopira Paniora, nged 17, who appeared in the Supremo Court yesterday for sentence for having broken into a post office at Kaihu, near Dargaville, and stolen postal packets, was ordered by Mr. Justice Fair to be detained in a Borstal Institute for a period not exceeding two years. Mr. Webb, who appeared for accused, said that Paniora turned 17 just seven days before be coniniitted the offence; otherwise he would have been tried by the Children's Court. His story was that he had been led astray by an older man who was now serving a sentence for vagrancy and consorting with thieves. His Honor said the probation officer's" report was unfavourable to Paniora's general character. Mr. Hubble, for the Crown, said thaton July 4 Paniora had been before the Court "for theft and unlawful use of a horse. He was then ordered to como up for sentence within six months, but the occurrence of this offence so soon afterwards bore out the probation officer's report that ho needed some punishment for liis own good. His Honor said if Paniora had had any intention to reform, being ordered to como up for sentence would have been sufficient warning to keep him oa the straight path. In his own interests he required some measure of restraint, and the probation officer did not recommend probation. Ho would be ordered to be detained in a Borstal Institute for a period not exceeding two years.