TRUCK AND CAR CONVERTED

Putaruru Press, Volume XXI, Issue 1236, 26 June 1947, Page 8

TRUCK AND CAR CONVERTED

INCIDENT AT PUTARURU Cecil Martin Hayward, aged 23 years, appeared in the Putaruru Count on Saturday morning, before Messrs. J. Halkett and R. Lee, J.’sP., changed on two counts, firstly, with converting a motor car valued at £SOO, the property of Anderson and Wightman, and, secondly, with converting a motor truck valued at £1250, the property of P. H. Staiale. The offences were committed at Putaruru on June 19, and accused pleaded 'guilty to both. Constable T. Cotter explained that Hayward was an employee of the State Forest Service, Rotorua, and haul been employed on this occasion under a forest ranger who was working in the native bush near Atiamuri. On the day of the offence accused had come to Putaruru along with two ibushmen. He had been drinking at the hotel, and after it had closed hadi been with a party. He had missed his two mates, who had hired a taxi and had returned to the mill. Accusedi, who was looking for a ride out, had gone to the motor truck, which had a load of timber on it, and was parked in Duke Street, with its ignition key left in the switch. He had driven it round to the front of the hotel where, in attempting to turn it, the vehicle almost capsized and the back of the cab of the truck was crushed) so severely that it was damaged to the extent of £lO. Hayward had then taken the ignition key from the truck and had walked down Princes Street to where the car in question had been parked about 9 pm. The ignition key had also been left in it, and accused had driven it back to his camp near the Insignus Mills, Ltd. He had then abandoned the machine. The car was recovered there by the police the following morning. Accused was arrested later that evening when he came from l the bush. He had at first denied the offences but later admitted doing them. He had said that he did not remember taking the truck as he had had a good few drinks. When searched, however, the ignition key of the truck was found in his possession. Accused, stated the constable, was a half-caste Mlaori who had been in trouble previously. He was a returned soldier of the recent war, and had been in the Air Force -in England for three years. Although his family was known to the Rotorua police, nothing was known against them. Hayward, when asked) if he had anything to say, expressed his regret at his actions. The Justices stated that had it not been for his previous good conduct they would have had no hesitation in sending him to gaol. As it was the first time he had -been in trouble they would give him another chance. He was convicted and placed) on probation for 'two years, and was ordered to pay the damages and expenses, which amounted) to £l6 3s sd.