CAR CONVERSIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25385, 17 November 1943, Page 4

CAR CONVERSIONS

“ALARMING REGULARITY ’’ YOUTH SENT TO BORSTAL (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Nov. 16. “ This class of offence is occurring with alarming regularity, and on an average 12 to 14 cars are taken from city streets each week. Although so many offenders are caught, the crimes continue unabated,” said Senior Detective Walsh in the Police Court this morning, when Oswald Hiram Maitland, aged 17, a labourer, admitted eight charges of unlawfully converting to his own use motor cars of a total value of £1320 and nine charges of the theft of gocds, including petrol, oil, liquor, and a gramophone, of a total value of £53 18s. Senior Detective Walsh said that two of the eight cars converted collided with power poles, cne being wrecked and the other damaged to the extent of £SO. Maitland had not been working for several months, and did not appear to be under the control of his parents. When a job was found for him he disappeared and went to Waihi and Paerca, taking with him two other boys, aged 11 and 12. Tlie probation officer told the magistrate that he went to considerable trouble to warn Maitland and to secure a position for him after he had been released on probation last month. ’* Now he is in trouble again on a serious list of charges. He deserves no consideration,” added the probation officer, recommertding the maximum penalty. The magistrate (Mr F. H. Levien) ordered Maitland to be detained in the Borstal for three years. “ Only by your conduct in the Borstal will you be able to reduce the period of your detention and set yourself up again,” the magistrate said.