AUTOMATIC PISTOL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 69, 23 March 1931, Page 9

AUTOMATIC PISTOL.

DIRT TRACK RIDER IN COURT

POUND DURING HOTEL SEARCH

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

Lionel Van Praag, Australian "dirt" track rider, appeared at the Magistrate's Court on a charge of being unlawfully in possession of an automatic pistol and ammunition. The magistrate (Mr. E. Page) fined Van Praag £10 and ordered the weapon and ammunition to be forfeited. Sub-Inspector Ward said the police were searching a room occupied by the accused in one of the hotels, and found the pistol and the ammunition in a drawer. The magazine was loaded with seven cartridges. The accused told one of the detectives that lie landed in New Zealand about. three weeks ago. Before hi? arrival he saw the Customs declaration form asking whether the passenger had any firearms, and he put his answer down in the negative. He stated that his reason for doing this was that lie intended going to Europe shortly, and wanted to take the gun with him. It was pointed out by the Sub-Inspec-tor that the importation of firearms into the Dominion without a permit was prohibited. The importation of automatic pistols was absolutely prohibited except in some exceptional cases, such as war trophies. A special permit from the Minister of Defence would have to be obtained for this. Mr. Page: Have the police any suggestions why this man should be in possession of the pistol'? Sub-Inspector Ward said that there was nothing previously known against Van Praag, but there was no reason why pistol should have been loaded. Van Praag pointed out that although there were cartridges in the magazine there were none in the chamber, and „he safety catches were applied.