SHIP’S FIREMEN ON TRIAL

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 119, 13 February 1941, Page 11

SHIP’S FIREMEN ON TRIAL

Several Charges Faced

’ Two ship’s firemen, Patrick Lynch, aged 32, and William Mcßeynolds, aged 32, were charged in the Supreme Court, Wellington, yesterday, with being armed by night in Wellington on October 13 last with dangerous instruments with intent, and also on two counts of being in possession of housebreaking instruments for breaking and entering with intent. Mcßeynolds was charged with having in his possession a plug of gelignite, a length of fuse, three detonators, pair of gloves and a box of matches, with intent to break into the countinghou.se of Gits Motors, Ltd., 29 Tory Street, Wellington. Lynch was charged with having a torch in ills possession, but was jointly, charged with M'cßeynolds with having the liousebreuking instruments in ills possession.

The case was heard by Mr. Justice Johnston and a jury of 12. Mr. C. IL Westoil, K.C., with him Mr. AV. R. Birks, conducted the prosecution; Mr. G. C. Kent appeared for Lynch and Mr. R. Hardie Boys for McReynolds. Frederick Edward Gits, a director of Gits Motors, Ltd., said that on the night of October 12 last he locked up the firm's garage in Tory Street shortly after 11 ,p.m. There was £37 left in the safe. Witness returned to the garage about 9 a.m. the next day and was surprised to find that there was no padlock on the door. He later found that the premises had been found open at an earlier hour that day. He found that someone had tried to force the safe open, though none of the money bad been taken.

The hearing will be continued at 10.30 a.m. today.