THEFT OF MOTOR-CARS

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1930, Page 10

THEFT OF MOTOR-CARS

PENALTIES CONSIDERED LIGHT. AMENDING LEGISLATION URGED. Concern at the number of motor-cars stolen was expressed at the meeting last evening of the executive of the South Taranaki Automobile Association. It was considered that the penalties imposed upon convicted offenders were too light, owing to the limitation imposed by statute, and it was decided to suppert any action in the matter taken by the North Island Motor Union. ■ In a memorandum to the chairman tile secretary (Mr. W. G. Walkley) mentioned the recent theft on one day of thrcj cars in the Manawatu district, one of which was destroyed- and one badly damaged. Last week, he stated, two of the association’s members had had their cars stolen, and the wek before a car belonging to a member had been' stolen and destroyed by fire. The position was so serious and the penalty for the conversion of motor-cars so slight that it seemed time that the automobile associations combined in strongly representing to the Government the necessity of making the penalty for the conversion of cars very much more severe. The conversion df a motor-ear should be made just as serious an offence as tl.w theft of sheep and cattle.

The secretary also submitted an opinion from Mr. G. J. Bayley, solicitor, who stated that if a person took a motorcar belonging to another, drove it away and left it stranded miles away from the place from which it was taken, and even though it was damaged, no conviction could be obtained under the Crime's Act definition of theft unless ; it could be proved that there, was'intention of depriving the owner? permanently of the car, or that the- person taking the car endeavoured to make it his own. Of course the owner of the car might have a civil action against the person wlio took the car for wrongful conversion but-what possible use in the great majority of cases would that' be to him? To meet this situation ■ Section 3 of .thd Police'Offences Amendment Act, 1919, was passed; providing the penalty of a fine not exceeding iIQ 'oi; imprisonment for a. term not exceeding two months, for unlawful conversion of a car That section was repealed by Section 1:0 of the. Police Offences Amendment Act, 1924, which contained- similar provisions, but increased- the penalties to an ■ amount not exceeding £2O and: imprisonment not exceeding three mouths.

“It is submitted,” stated Mi’. Bayley, “that when a person takes a motor-car that does not belong to him the quesiicn as to whether he intends to deprive, the owner permanently of it or riot should not enter .into it. He takes the car with his eyes open well knowing the ear is not his property-then -why should he not be guilty of theft? Under the Justices of the Peace Act every person who steals a dog is liable to six months’ imprisonment and for a subsequent offence to eighteen, months. Under the Crimes Act the punishment' for theft of a horse or sheep is- not to exceed fourteen years’ imprisonment. It is suggested that the position could easily be met by the legislature introducing the present section 32 of the Police Offences Act, 1927/ into the Crimes Act and making the penalty.' therefor considerably heavier.” . ' 6 The question of making representations Was left to Messrs. ■ S. C. Tonks, G. J. Bayley and W. G. Walkley. MINIATURE RIFLE SHOOTING. HAWERA CLUB’S MATCH .RESULTS. The second rounds of the matches for the president’s and secretary’s trophies were fired by members of the Hawera Miniature Rifle Club on Thursday evenins. Results are:—President’s trophy.—J. Vinten, score 97, handicap 1%, total 98f, grand total 19S1; Sirs. F. Rae, 97, 2%, 99-J, 199%; G. Harding, 95, 3J, 98%, 196; E. Booth, 95, 33, 98'i, 1952; A. Thrush, 96, 2|, 98j. 198 J; Miss E. Rae, 92, 6, 98, 190; A. Booth, 93, 3|, 96i,.1?6%; L. Frapp,ton. 87, 10%, 975, Secretary’s trophy.—J. Vinten, score 47, handicap i, total 472, grand total 97j-: Mrs. F. Rae, 47, 2, 47%, 94%; G. Harding, 47, 1%, 48%, 96;- E. Booth, 47. 2, 49, 99; A. Thrush, 46, 1, 47, 97; Miss E. Rae, 49, %, 49|, 99|; A. Rooth, 47, l : / 2 , 484, 94; L. Frampton, 45, 3|, 4SJ, 972; A. Elgar, 48, %, 484, 98%. PEDIGREE JERSEY BULL FAIR. ANNUAL FIXTURE AT HAWERA. The farmer who wishes to improve the butter-fat production of his herd and also the quality of his cattle will have Lis opportunity at the Hawera Pedigree Je. , Club’s annual bull fair, to be held on Wednesday at, Hawera. The breeding of most of the bulls to be offered 18° exceptional. Moreover, every bull will be inspected and passed.by .au inspection committee before being, offered for sale. This inspection ensures that every animal offered is up to and in moct cases beyond the average standard- Amongst others, the consignments ircin the following breeders should command attention. Messrs. R. S- Scown, Manutahi; V. Nowell, Hawera; H. I osland, Inaha.; L. Kavanagh, .Hawera ; H. Wren, Tokaora; A. (?. Morrison, Elthain ; J. Mortimer, Okaiawa; R- MeCay, Hawera; H. S. Herbert, Hawera. All are breeding on good lines and their animals are always in request. For the convenience of farmers, the sale is timed to commence, at 10 a.m. so that it will finish in ample time to allow purchasers to get home early. The auctioneers specially wish it to be known that, in the event of a farmer not being able to be present at the sale, they arp prepard to purchase on his behalf and attend to trucking and droving for him.