POWELL'S PROLIFIC PLUNDERING

NZ Truth, Issue 1031, 29 August 1925, Page 8

POWELL'S PROLIFIC PLUNDERING

The four centres of N.Z. have had scone experience of the depredations of a lad aged 17 years, known as David Raden Powell. Following 1 his appear»ance at Dunedin, Christchurch and "Wellington (already reported m "Truth") he made his bow to Magis.trate Poynton, at Auckland the other 'day on three charges of breaking and entering and theft of articles of jewellery, a sum of money, and with intent to commit a crime. Through his counsel (Mr. Newbury) he pleaded guilty. Chief Detective Cummings called evidence to show that accused had entered the house of George McKay and stolen therefrom a silver watch, gold chain, and locket, value £16, also the house of Grace Browning, where he picked up £3;' further, that he had been on the premises of Mabel V. McNicholl with intent to commit a crime.

Detective O'Sullivan put m a statement he had received from the youth relative to the charges against him. In this he said that, owing to a .lispute with his father, who resided at' the Thames, he had left home. He came to Auckland after leaving Hamilton. His scheme of going about the ''business" was that he went to the front door of a house and knocked. If he got no response he would enter the

place through a window, usually at the back of The house and prowl ?:oimd the residence till he got something he took a fancy to. In the case of McKay's residence this was what he did. When' he was at Browning's place, and went to the back door, he saw an old invalid lady sitting on a chair at the back verandah. He reckoned, j : however, that the lady was blind, as she made no move when he was there. Consequently he entered the house and "pottered" round till he carme oh three pound notes which he took for himself, and then made his name "Walker." Though he entered the house of the McNicholl family m the same way, he could find nothing worth while taking and he left empty handed. The watch and chain which he took from McKay's mantel -shelf were found on Powell when he was arrested at Dunedin. Powell was committed to the Supreme' Court for sentence. 'Bail was not allowed. The Chief Detective stated that the lad came of very respectable people at the Thames, but that a time m custodj' would give him an idea of the sort of life lie might be heading for.