“A FOOLISH FREAK”

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1639, 9 May 1925, Page 5

“A FOOLISH FREAK”

THEET .HE P,O#LTRY.

OFFENDERS FINED .£5 EACH

Some three weeks ago it became known the Te Awamutu , police had i apprehended .two well - known young townsmen suspected of being concerned in ,the disappearance of some poultry from lithe .premises of a, local hotel. These two men were brought before Messrs B. McGeohie and W. C. Savill, justices, at the local Courthouse yesterday morning and charged with the theft of two fowl 3 the .property of M. W. Muir. Mr J. Hawkins appeared for accused, and entered a plea of guilty. Constable Doyle recounted the incidents surrounding the charge, and characterised -the .theft as a foolish freak unworthy of men of repute. They felt their position keenly, and he was confident that there was no need for a stiff penalty. The notoriety the escapade had obtained would he a salutary lesson to them. Mr Hawkins complimented the police On their fair statement of the case, and asked the Bench to extend lenient treatment to the men. The Bench read the two men a homily on their misdeed, pointing out the far-reaching results. However, they were convinced the offence would not he repeated, and announced that they had decided to follow fh? lead of the magistrate on last Court day by recording a conviction and imposing a fine of £5. Restitution would, of 'course, have to be made to the poultry owner. Mr Hawkins said that this would be done promptly, and he asked that an order be made *or suppression of the men’s names, pointing out that they were first offenders. The Bench conferred and then acceded to the request.