TO BE TRIED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 224, 5 July 1939, Page 6

TO BE TRIED.

UNLAWFUL CONVERSION CHARGE ALLEGATION OF BURGLARY. • (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, This Day. Thomas Gordon, aged 37, a taxidriver, was charged before Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., with the uni awful conversion of a' truck valued at £260, and with breaking and entering, on June 21, the office of Barton, Ginger, Ltd., and committing theft. After evidence had been heard accused pleaded not guilty and was committed for trial. Francis James Lawson, a fitter, of. Johnsonville, said he was working on the Hutt Road and on June 21 was walking down to it about 11 (p.m., As he entered the Ngahauranga Gorge lie saw a steel safe lying on its back. There seemed to be some cotton waste packed round the lock, and he saw an apparently unlit fuse protruding. He did not see anyone in the -vicinity at the time. He continued down the Gorge and about 10 minutes later heard an explosion. 'Some time later he returned with members of the Police Force and saw a man digging spoil with a shovel. There was a yellow-coloured van close beside the man, with the lights turned full on and a fire burning close to the van.

Constable McConachy! gave evidence that the man did not appear to be aware of their presence .until they were within 40 yards of him. He dropped his. shovel and ran in the opposite direction. He ran over a steep bank into the creek bed, where ho was caught. In the van were found seven plugs of gelignite, and among the property on accused Avas a detonator. Where accused had been the door of the safe Avas found, partly covered Avith spoil.