TYRES AND TUBES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 38, 14 February 1945, Page 6

TYRES AND TUBES

RECEIVING ALLEGED

LABOURER PLACED ON TRIAL

In the Supreme Court before Mr. Justice Callan to-day, Albert William Gauntlett, labourer, aged 30, pleaded not guilty to charges of the theft of bicycle tyres and tubes valued at £6 7/6, and also to a charge of receiving the tyres and tubes knowing them to have been dishonestly obtained. Mr. S. Cleal prosecuted for the Crown and Mr. T. Henry appeared for the accused. Mr. Cleal, in opening, said the jury should concentrate on the charge of receiving only. He said evidence would be called to show that the tyres and tubes were the property of Reid (N.Z.) Rubber Mills, Limited. They were in an unfinished condition and would not, be marketed by the company in such a condition. On December 10, said Mr. Cleal, accused called at the shop of Mr. Phillips, cycle dealer in Ponsonby Road, and asked if Phillips would exchange a 28 inch tyre for a 26 inch one. Accused was told the exchange could not be made and he then asked if Phillips wanted to buy some tyres. Phillips told him, "only if they came through the right channels." On December 15, said Mr. Cleal, accused called again on Mr. Phillips and the latter purchased three tyres and asked accused if he could get any more. After accused left the three tyres were handed to the police, and later in the day when accused called at the shop again he was accosted by the police. In accused's car were found 11 tyres and tubes, all in an unfinished condition. When questioned by Detectives Wade and Halpin and also the constable who arrested him, accused said he had purchased the tyres and tubes from a man in a billiard saloon, but he did not wish to disclose the man's name. (Proceeding)