CAR CONVERSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22579, 18 November 1936, Page 15

CAR CONVERSION

PUNISHABLE BY PRISON COMMENT BY MAGISTRATE VOUNG MAN SENTENCED "The offence of running away with other people's motor-cars is one that can he checked only by imprisonment," said Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday, when sentencing Walter Bernard Johnson, baker and labourer, aged 23, on a charge of converting a motor-car, valued at £45, to his own use. "I am not deterred by the fact that you are only 25 years of age, because it is always young men who commit this offence." Accused admitted the charge and also one of driving without a licenee. Sub-Inspector Fox said the ear was left in Little Queen Street on Monday afternoon, and about 7..'50 p.m. accused called on a farmer at Henderson, saying he had unlawfully taken the ear. He had lost his way and run out of benzine, so he asked the farmer to telephone for the police. Accused was arrested by Constable Pollard. A statement was produced in which accused said he came from Australia in March and secured casual work as a baker. He had also done other work, but had been out of work for a couple of days. When he took the car he was feeling very melancholy and tired of insecure employment, but when ho reached Kumeu he realised what he had done. He had had about three drinks, but was quite sober. "1 do not know the explanation of your coming to New Zealand, but it seems strange that you should have left your father's business," said the magistrate.

Accused said he became tired of it. "I am afraid you are one of the drifting type," said the magistrate, imposing a sentence of seven days' imprisonment on the charge of conversion and a fine of £1 on that of driving without a licence.