CARRIED CLASP KNIFE

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28154, 18 December 1956, Page 21

CARRIED CLASP KNIFE

ARAB SEAMAN FINED IN AUCKLAND CNew Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, December 17. An Arab seaman from the motorvessel Redgate, Ismail Hamed, aged 36, was prosecuted in the Auckland Magistrate’s Court today under the new regulations forbidding the carrying of clasp knives in New Zealand. The charge, of carrying an offensive weapon without authority or excuse, was admitted. He also admitted being found drunk in a public place. Mr F. McCarthy, S.M., fined him £1 on each charge. The police prosecutor, Mr F. L. Diggle, said that the accused became argumentative in an Onehunga hotel and was asked to leave. He suddenly produced the open clasp knife and waved it around in a threatening manner. He was again asked to leave, and eventually moved into the street, still brandishing the knife. When a man tried to remove the knife, a short struggle developed, and the man suffered a minor cut on the arm. The accused said he took the knife ashore as he did not know what to do in New Zealand. He produced it in the hotel as he was afraid that the other, men might hurt him. The Magistrate asked an officer from the vessel, present in Court, to instruct members of the crew to leave their knives on board before coming into Auckland.