PROBATION FOR TWO YEARS

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1931, Page 7

PROBATION FOR TWO YEARS

OFFENCES IN AUCKLAND DISTRICT

A TRIP NORTH IN A MOTOR-CAR.

“I am going to take the risk with you and admit you to probation for two years, restitution to be made at the probation officer’s direction,” said Mr. R. W. Tate, S.M., when sentencing Jlarold Raymond Bates, who- came before him at New Plymouth yesterday. The thefts to which Bates pleaded cruilty and on which he elected, to be dealt with summarily were: On or about December 26, at Ngatea, a rim and tyre, valued at £3, belonging to Patrick Leonard; on or about December 27, at Ngatea, one tin of kerosene, valued at 9s Gd, belonging to John Sam* uel Lozell; on or about December 27, between Warkworth and Maungaturoto, a pair of field glasses, valued at £3, belonging io a person unknown; on oi about December 27, at Waiarc, a sot of motor tools, valued at £2, belonging to Jack Tatai; on or about January 3, at Waiarc, a tin of benzine, valued at 10s, belonging to Lane and Sons; on or about January 3, at Kaeo, tyre, rim and tube, valued at £7 10s, belonging to Frederick Thomas Woodley. Detective Meiklejohn said Bates on December 26 was employed on a farm in the Auckland district. He was friendly with a. man named Aithur Jay and another named Daw. Apparently because he could not get leave of absence, he decided to go north in Jays car. A tube and tyre were stolen a. Ngatea and, wanting benzine, he took a tin from a shed, but it proved to be kerosene. He crossed by the Devonport, ferry and went north, Jay ana Daw being with him. A pair of field "lasses found in a car were appropriated and left at Charlie Daw’s home at Kaeo. On the night ot December 27 eomc tools belonging to a Maori were stolen; these had been recovered.. On January 3, they went into Kaeo town* shin and took a motor tyre, rim and tube from the back of a car belonging to Woodley. Some benzine had also been taken.

All the offences were committed within a week. The other young men were arrested, fined £3 on one charge and convicted and ordered to come Up for sentence on the others. They had said tliev were led away by Bates, who was 26 or 27 years of age. Their ages were about 20. Though warrants had been issued, and tlie police had looked for him since February, they had been unable to locate Bates. It was only when a relative had written to him advising him to report himself to the police that he had "one to the local police station from a c New Plymouth boarding-house where lie was working. He had a big list of convictions.

Mr. J. H. Sheat pointed out that Rates had not been before the court for over four years. His previous offences were committed four or live years ago when he was a mcie boy. Admittedly, he then did. commit a scries of offences, bnt since he had grown older he had endeavoured to keep straight. Regarding the suggestion that he bad led the other men, counsel pointed out that most of the stolen articles were car accessories and were used in the car belonging to one of the other men. One point in Bates’ favour was that ho had gone to the station When he heard the police were looking for him. There was a considerable amount of good in him and his position ill the boarding-house was still open to him. Counsel suggested probation.

Replying to the magistrate, after a report had peen obtained from the probation Officer, Detective Meiklejohn said the tin of kerosene and the tyre and tube taken at Ngatea had not been recovered. Bates had said that as far as he knew the tin was left at Jay s place.