TWO YEARS’PROBATION

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 August 1946, Page 9

TWO YEARS’PROBATION

GOODS REMOVED FROM DAMAGED CAR

SEQUEL TO DOBSON ACCIDENT

A quantity of goods which were removed from a motor-car which overturned after striking a telegraph pole on the Dobson straight early in June, were later discovered by the police at the residence of* Williqm Nelis Cavanagh, a. trucker, aged 32, of Dobson, and this led to his appearance in the Magistrate’s Court at Greymouth this morning on a charge of theft. The accused, who claimed that he had found the goods in bush at the side of the road some days after the accident, pleaded guilty and was admitted to probation for two years. ’ ; Cavanagh, who was represented by Mr W. D. Taylor, was charged that on or about June 14 at Dobson, he stole a motor-car seat valued at £l5, a hold-all bag (£3/17/6), raincoat (£B/17/6) , golf jacket (£5), motor-car pump (10/-),’ two shirts (£1), and two pair of socks (9/-), of a total value of £34/14/6, the. property of Baillie and Neville and Co. and others. The accused elected to be dealt with summarily. Detective-Sergeant C; H. Davis said that a motor-car owned by Baillie and Neville and Co. had overturned on the Dobson straight at 11 p.m. on June 14. The vehicle was badly damaged and the occupants, who were injured, were admitted to hospital. At 1.30 a.m., however, it was discovered that* the tyres and wheels and other property had been removed from the vehicle. The total value was £BO. On August 16, the acused’s home had been searched and the goods cited in the charge had been discovered. The accused had said that he had inspected the car on the night of the accident but had removed nothing. Two days later he had found the articles in a bush nearby. He had served overseas for four and a-half years. Mr Taylor said that the accused had been travelling along the road after looking at the property of a friend which he, agreed to keep his eye on, when he found the articles. He knew nothing about the nfissing tyres and all the goods he had taken had been recovered. Mr Taylor suggested that the accused would benefit by probation. “In view of the fact that you have not been before the court before and your lengthy and honourable military career, I will admit you to probation for two years,” said the Magistrate, Mr A. A. McLachlan, S.M. An order was made for the return of the goods. Suicide Attempt

Appearing on remand from Monday, a young married man, aged 22, whose 1 name was again suppressed, pleaded guilty to a charge of attempting to commit suicide at Greymouth on Sunday evening. Senior Sergeant R. C. Mcßebie outlined the facts of the case as given in the report of the accused’s first appearance in court. Mr W. D. Taylor, .for the accused, said that there would be no repetition of the affair. The accused was convicted and discharged, being ordered to pay £1 ]/- medical expenses. Case Dismissed

Duncan Hardie (Mr .Taylor) pleaded not guilty to a charge of driving a motor vehicle on July 6, across a railway crossing at a time when it was not clear. Arthur Ross, crossing keeper at the Cobden bridge, said that the accused had accelerated on turning the corner from Greymouth to cross the bridge, and, in spite of his signalling with a red light that a tram was approaching from Omoto, had continued across the line. Since that time, however, he had come to believe that the poor light in the vicinity would have made it difficult for a motorist to observe his warning. « Mr Taylor protested about the lengthy delay before the accused was interviewed (three weeks later) concerning the alleged offence. The magistrate intimated that there was no need for the defendant to give evidence, as the prosecution had left a doubt as to whether the warning had been observed. The information would, therefore, be dismissed. Traffic Offence For driving a motor car at Greymouth on June 1-6 without a warrant of fitness, William McKean was convicted and fined £l, with 10/- costs. Alexander Hcjnry William McKenzie, charged with driving without a warrant of fitness and without a. driver’s licence, was convicted and. fined £1 on each charge. Total costs wei e £l/2 / -. ________