CONVERSION OF MOTOR VAN

Southland Times, Issue 24055, 20 February 1940, Page 6

CONVERSION OF MOTOR VAN

(United Press Association) AUCKLAND, February 19. Two Permanent Force artillerymen, James Kitchener Miller, aged 24, and Maurice Walter Hessey, aged 20, were charged in the Magistrate’s Court with unlawfully converting a motor-van. Miller was further charged with being in a state of intoxication while in charge of the van in Swanson street. Counsel said the facts were admitted. A constable gave evidence that at 9.15 on Thursday evening last a van was driven down Queen street at about 35 miles an hour. It swerved into Swanson street. Both men alighted. Miller denied having driven the van and Hessey did not seem to understand what the witness was saying. At the police station Miller was certified by a doctor as unfit to drive a motor-vehicle. He gave his name as Reid. The lieutenant in charge of the two men told the Magistrate that their character was regarded as fair. They were on probation for a year. The Magistrate convicted both on the charge of conversion to come up if called upon within six months. Miller was fined £2O and disqualified from driving for twelve months on the intoxication charge, * , I