Bench warrant for sect head

Press, 1 September 1977, Page 3

Bench warrant for sect head

Eight charges under the 'Arms Act have been laid agaiftst the leader of the religious community at Wai- ) para, Mr D. A. Metcalfe — ' and because of his noni appearance in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday in answer to a summons, Mr F. G. Paterson S.M. issued a warrant for his arrest.

Mr S. G. Erber said he' had been instructed by Mr! G. R. Lascelles, who repre-i sents Mr Metcalf, to seek an| adjournment to October 3.1 He said Mr Lascelles would ‘ be out of New Zealand until October 1. In view of Mr Metcalf’s n o n-appearance, SeniorSergeant W. J. Nicholl applied for a warrant for his 'arrest. Mr Erber opposed the application, saying it was highly unlikely Mr Metclife would not appear, as his family and al! his assets were in New Zealand. Mr Erber said that the (summons had not been : served on Mr Metcalf but on I a member of his family. Seniot-Sergeant Nichol said this had been done because the police had been unable to locate Mr Metcalf. The whereabouts of Mr Metcalf were not known to!

ione of his daughters who 'was telephoned by “The I Press” yesterday afternoon. “I have no knowledge of I where my father is," she I said, and seemed reluctant to say anything else. ) Mr Metcalf is charged I vyith possessing 23 assorted (rifles, 28 shotguns, four pis(tols, five gas-operated air) ' pistols, six air rifles, one air (pistol, and 42 pounds of am-! I munition reloading powder (except for a lawful, proper, (and sufficient purpose. ! Seven of the charges relate to the possession of various types of revolvers ranging from .22 to .38 calibre.

Although it is believed that Mr Metcalf was to have left New Zealand for Israel last week, he failed to re- ■ port at Christchurch Airport. Mr Erber said after the court sitting yesterday’ that he was not prepared to tell “The Press” if he knew where Mr Metcalf was. “I do not know why he did not turn up in court today,” Mr Erber said. “I know very little about Mr Metcalf. He is a client of Mr Lascelles. The matter )can wait for a month,” he 'said.