HIS BIRTHDAY PRESENT

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1932, Page 12

HIS BIRTHDAY PRESENT

BORSTAL FOR ERRING YOUTH LEFT IVITH EMPLOYER’S PROPERTY. POLICE CASES AT NEW PLYMOUTH. “He is 20 years old to-day,” said Sergeant McGregor concerning Eric Stanley Mills, who was sentenced by Mr. R. W. Tate, S.M., at New Plymouth yesterday to be detained in a Borstel institution for a period not exceeding two years. The charge against him was that on December 3 he stole certain articles belonging to Leslie Wright Hunter Ormsby, Otorohanga, whose employ he left on that date. The value of the property was £3 Bs.

Setgeant McGregor said Mills had “cleared out.” When arrested some of the stolen articles were found in his possession. Asked whether he elected summary jurisdiction, Mills said he would rather get it over now and be done with it. The clerk: How do you plead, guilty or not guilty? Mills: I would rather not go to gaol. The clerk: How do you plead? Mills: Guilty to some things, but certain things I did not steal, and I am not going to say I did. He said he had had nothing to do with the disappearance of a bicycle pump, an overcoat and a clothes brush, but he did take the y gold wristlet watch, the pair of shoes and the blanket. Sergeant McGregor said the articles Mills had denied taking had not been recovered and could be withdrawn from the charge. There was, however, little doubt that he took them as all the articles disappeared at the same time. The sergeant mentioned that Mills had been convicted for the theft of a bicycle at Oamaru about two years ago and had been placed in a home at Kurow. Later he was transfered to the Weraroa training farm, from which he was released on license 12 months ago in order to work for a farmer at Hastings. He ran away from that employer and had since been Pandering around the country until Ormsby engaged him. He stayed with this employer about two weeks. He was subnormal, and a report from the welfare officer said he Was hard to managed In answer to the Court Mr. William Dineen said he had found Mills to be incapable of looking after himself. Though 20 years old he had the intelligence only of a boy of 10. It would be a kindness to send him to a Borstel institution. An order was made for the return of the property recovered to the owner. . . . ■ ■ ■ ' ASSAULT CHARGE ADJOURNED. TWO MEN TO APPEAR. An assault on Thomas L. V. Hoffman on November 25, and fighting with Arthur V. Cooper in a public place was charged against John Charles Barry Walsh. Cooper was charged with fighting Walsh in a public place. On behalf of Walsh Mr. S. F. Grayling asked for an adjournment till January 18. Sergeant McGregor, who represented the police, and Mr. P. Grey (for Cooper* said they were prepared to go on that day. '' Mr. Grayling said the summons was served only on Friday and he had received it at midday on Saturday. It was necessary for him to, obtain certain information, but sufficient time had not yet elapsed to permit the receipt of a reply to his letter. Mr. Grey said he was prepared to go on but was willing to allow Mr. Grayling time for further inquiries. Saying that it seemed reasonable that Mr. Grayling should have further time to consider the matter the magistrate made the adjournment asked for.

TRAIN AND MOTOR-LORRY. COLLISION AT LEVEL CROSSING. A collision between a train and a motor-lorry at the Smart Road level crossing on July 26 was responsible for the appearance of Harold Norman Berntsen to admit attempting to cross While the line was not clear'. He was convicted and ordered to pay £3 Is costs. A charge of failing to keep a vigilant look-out for aproaching trains was withdrawn. The circumstances were explained by Mr. G. Macallan, who appeared fdr the Railway Department. The train was tire goods train that left New Plymouth for Wanganui at 11 a.m., he said. Before the lorry was struck Berntsen and another man jumped clear. The whistle of the engine had been blown fdr a distance of about 100 yards. These proceedings had been adjourned to enable civil proceedings to be disposed of, but these had now been settled.

Mr. A. A. Bennett said Berntsen had been conveying county council coal to the depot across the line. The view at the crossing was somewhat obscured by pine trees. He believed the line was dear. Unfortunately the engine stalled when the lorry was half-way across the line. But for that the lorry would have been well on its way to the depot before the train reached the crossing. In view of the circumstances counsel suggested a light penalty would suffice. I The magistrate said he thought the ends of justice would be met by order--ing Berntsen to pay costs. SULLIVAN ON REMAND. A FURTHER ADJOURNMENT. Charged with causing actual bodily harm to Veronica McKelliget at New Plymouth on November 3 James Sullivan again appeared before the magistrate and was further remanded till January 11 on the application of Detective Meiklejohn, Mr. W. H. Freeman consenting. Bail was renewed.