CONVERSION OF CAR

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18253, 23 November 1933, Page 9

CONVERSION OF CAR

MAORI’S MAD CAREER GAOL SENTENCE IMPOSED (Per Press Association.) ROTORUA, last night. At the Magistrate’s Court cumulative sentences amounting to six months' hard labor were imposed upon a Maori motor driver, Nohi Nikora, who was charged with the unlawful conversion of a ear, with drunkenness while driving, and with theft. The police stated that the circumstances’ were particularly glaring. Nikora admitted taking a large sedan car while under the influence of drink, and was next observed driving at a terrific speed up the Ngongotaha mountain road. The roaring of the car could be heard for a considerable distance, and it was lurching from side to side, striking the sides’ of the cuttings, with one door swinging open, and this litter was found torn off and sticking in the side of the bank.

Realising that something waswrong, farmers investigated and found the car with its differential stuck on a log hanging over the lip of a steep 200 ft drop. The engine was still roaring, and Nikora was sitting asleep in the car with his foot jammed hard on the accelerator. One back wheel was partially off the ground and the tyre had been torn completely off by the friction. Nikora admitted the charges ol 7 drunkenness while driving, and appropriating the car, and also admitted that he had broken open a suitcase in the back seat and appropriated a number of articles.

When found Nikora was wearing an overcoat belonging to the owner of the car, Henry Roger Kusabs. Senior-Sergeant Carroll stated that it was one of the worst cases lie had encountered. Nikora had had a previous conviction for negligent driving. In addition to sentences of imprisonment, Nikora’s license was cancelled and lie was prohibited from driving a car for two years.