LIKE ARMOURY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 85, 11 April 1938, Page 8

LIKE ARMOURY.

COURT EXHIBITS.

CARPENTER CHARGED.

HOME-MADE FIREARMS. THREAT TO CLERK ALLEGED. (By Telejrraph.—Own Correspondent.) PALMERSTON NORTH, this day. Revolvers, shortened guns and ammunition littered the Magistrate's Court table this morning when Arthur Ernest Smith, carpenter, aged 65, of Foxton, faced charges, of being in possession of an unregistered six-cliambered revolver, in possession of an unregistered shortened .303 rifle, unlawfully in possession of a .38 six-chambered revolver and ammunition, unlawfully in possession of a .303 pistol, and lastly that he did send to William Trueman, town clerk of Foxton, a letter containing a threat to do bodilv harm to Trueman.

The accused admitted possession of the firearms.

Detective-Sergeant Meiklejohn stated that as. a result of a letter sent allegedly by the accused, Detective Fell and Constable Edwards searched Smith's home, and found the revolver's, guns and ammunition mentioned in the charges. The accused had beer, making guns and ammunition. Detective-Sergeant Meiklejohn also produced a dagger to show the style of workmanship which Smith was capable of.

The Magistrate (to accused) : 'Have you any explanation to offer why you were doing this?

Smith (referring to the dagger) : That is only an ornament. The Magistrate: I wouldn't like to meet it.

Detective-Sergeant Meiklejohn: There is something eccentric about this man.

The magistrate convicted aiftl discharged the accused on two charges of being in possession of unregistered arms, and fined him £5 on each of the two charges of being unlawfully in possession of firearms, in default one month's imprisonment. As the fifth charge is an indictable one, the accused was. remanded for the preliminary hearing of evidence.