"NO MERE FLUKE"

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 49, 27 August 1923, Page 8

"NO MERE FLUKE"

UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A

REVOLVER

EX-POLICEMAN HEAVILY FINED.

ex-South African policeman named ueorge Hannington Remmers, who resides at 49, Hanover street, Wadestown appeared before Mr. F. K. Hunt, jS.M , at the Magistrate's. Court, charged with being in unlawful possession of a revolver.

The information, said Chief Detective Kemp, was laid under section 5 of the Arms Act, 1920, which rendered the defendant liable to a fine of £100 or three months' imprisonment. Remmers arrived in the Dominion from South Africa in April last, and before landing made the usual declaration that he had no firearms;of any description in big possession. '■.■.'<■

"It was found necessary.to search the, accused'!! house on 13th instant," continued the .officer, " and during the execution of the warrant, some revolver ammunition was '. found by Detective M'Lennan. ' You must have a gun, then?" hazarded the detective.' 'Oh' yes,' returned, the accused. Remmers then took the revolver produced- down off a ledge in the room. It is no mere fluke that this irian had the revolver in his possession. He is an ex-member of the South African Police Force, and knew very well what he was doing." On behalf of the i-.?cused, Mr. A: J. Mazengasb explained that his client had previously come from Rhodesia, where it was the Usual practice for Europeans' to carry revolvers. The position was that before he left.for New Zealand he sold up all-his firearms, except for this one, which was packed away in Remmers?s trunk by a native servant. When the accused made the declaration before landing, he was ignorant that the gun was among his effects, and made the statement in all good faith. " He knew perfectly Well what he war doing. He was an ex-policeman, and knew why he -wanted the firearm," remarked the Magistrate. "He m fined £50,.in default three months' imprisonment."