TWENTY-EIGHT DAYS’ GAOL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 82, Issue 288, 6 December 1938, Page 5

TWENTY-EIGHT DAYS’ GAOL

MAORI MOTORIST SENTENCED GUILTY ON TWO CHARGES (From Our Own Correspondent) TAIHAPE, Dec. 5. With his face swathed in bandages as a result of a motor accident, a Maori shearer, Peter Riwai, aged 24 years, of Halcombe, appeared before Messrs. H. Johnston and E. Loader, J.P.’s, at the Taihape Magistrate's Court this morning on separate charges of being found in charge of a motor-car while in a state ot intoxication, and unlawfully converting to his own use a motor-car valued at £l5O, the property of Wiison Marshall. Accused pleaaed guilty to both offences, which were committed on Saturday afternoon. He was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment on each charge, the sentences to be cumulative. Sergeant J. M. Mcßae, who conducted the prosecution, said that defendant came into Taihape on Saturday afternoon from Pukeakanu witn a shearing gang in Wilson Marshall s car. Riwai was one of the gang, and on arrival in Taihape he had a few drinks and afterwards took possession of Marshall's car without permission and set out to visit some friends at Winiata and Utiku. Accused had travelled less than one mile when he ran into a bank and damaged the car to the extent of £2O. He was cut about the face by glass from the broken windscreen and this accountea for the bandages which he was wealing. Fortunately his injuries were not serious. After the acident Rewai started to drive the car back to Tai hape, but a person who noticed his plight took charge of the vehicle anu drove it back to town. “These offences are becoming serious and bolli charges must be included in this category,” concluded the sergeant. In answer to a question the sergeant said that Rewai had absolutely no right to take the car. This statement was corroborated by Marshall himself, the owner of the vehicle. Asked by the Bench if he had anything to say, Riwai replied "No.”

After pointing out the seriousness of both offences, the Bench sentenced accused to 14 days’ gaol on each charge, the sentences to be cumulative. His present driver’s licence was cancelled and he was prohibited from obtaining another until June, 1940.