PETTY THEFT

Waipa Post, Volume 44, Issue 3181, 24 May 1932, Page 4

PETTY THEFT

YOUNG FARMER ARRESTED

The mysterious disappearance of some garden tools from the school at Pukeatua on Sunday, April 24th, was reported to the police, and as a result of inquiries made Constable H. Shaw,( of Kihikihi, arrested a young man at Kihikihi yesterday. • This morning the young fellow was brought before Messrs G. A. Empson and W. Swain, justices, at the local Court to answer charges of theft. Accused admitted the theft, saying -he had "* gone to the school at 3 p.m. to get a spade, and while there he broke open the shed and helped himself to several gardening tools. There weBJ other charges of theft of fencing wire at Te Rore and contracting material at Pukeatua. These offences weie also admitted. Constable Forsyth detailed the points that led to the arrest. All the material had been recovered. The young fellow had recently taken up a farm of his own, and "nothing w as previously known against'Kan. Accused's counsel said 'jfcn'e young fellow bore a good reputation,,and was regarded asvhard-working,and ambitious. Apparently he had. £iven way to some freakish temptataojn. He urged leniency in view of, Accused's former good reputation. The lesson taught him 1 already would, he urged, have a salutary affect, and ensure good behaviour for the future. The Bench remarked that it was rather difficult to deal with the case leniently, as there was so much petty thieving going on. The Court generally are looking with a more serious view on such offences. The Bench hoped that accused would .realise that leniency was extended. A fine of -A would be imposed on each of the three charges, with a default of seven days imprisonment.