EXPLOSIVES FOUND

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 225, 19 June 1931, Page 11

EXPLOSIVES FOUND

Gelignite & Detonators In House , LABOURER SENT TO GAOL Hidden behind a coal box inside the back door, a plug of gelignite and two detonators were found when police searched the apartment house of John Henry Morgan, labourer, aged 48. On a charge of having these explosives In his possession without lawful, proper, and sufficient purpose, Morgan, who pleaded guilty, was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment by Mr. E. Page, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday. x Sub-Inspector Ward said that the accused denied any knowledge that the explosives were in the house, which was searched under warrant. The police records described him as a man who occasionally worked on the wharves. “We have been informed, whether rightly dr wrongly, that he is the man who supplied explosives to a criminal who was before the court last week,” the subinspector added. Objection Over-ruled. “I object to this matter being placed before the court in this way,” said Mr. Sievwright, who appeared for the accused. “I have no opportunity of crossexamining on the point. The charge is laid under the Arms Act, and I submit extraneous matter, such as has been raised, is not admissible in the circumstances.” The Magistrate: Tf the plea were not guilty no doubt that matter would not be opened, but where the plea is one of guilty I think it is the duty of the police to inform me what they know about the accused’s behaviour. Sub-Inspector Ward said the accused had been before the court in 1920 for breaking and entering, and was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. When his house was searched recently the police found new articles such as one might expect to find in the house of a man dealing in stolbn property. The accused claimed to have purchased the articles at sales, but it was rather unusual to find those goods in the house of a man who only did occasional work. The Accused: I can prove where I got those things. Mr. Sievwright (to the Magistrate): Apparently the police are using this charge for other purposes. The Magistrate: Why do you say that, Mr. Sievwright? “Improper and Unjust.” Mr. Sievwright: I say that in view of the statements being made. My instructions are that the accused was able to indicate clearly that he had come by the goods honestly. That being so, I submit it is most Improper and most unjust to the accused to introduce that aspect of the matter in these proceedings. The Magistrate: I quite disagree with-you, Mr, Sievwright. You can express your opinion, but it is not mine. It is the duty of the police to outline these facts. Mr. Sievwright said he took it that the object of the legislation under which the charge had been laid was to prevent unauthorised persons using certain explosives. The penalties set out did not disclose that the Legislature viewed the offence as a very serious one. The accused, in addition to his ordinary work, had been employed asa gardener on a large section of land. He had reported to the police that undesirables had been frequenting the grounds. It was in these grounds, said counsel, that the accused found the gelignite. Not Without a Record. The Magistrate: The accused is a man not without a record. He was sentenced to a term of imprisonment for breaking and entering, and at a later date he received a further term. There are other circumstances which seem to suggest that his association with these explosives was not altogether an innocent one. I propose to sentence him to two months’ imprisonment.

The Accused (as he was leaving the dock): How about a fine, sir?