STOREKEEPER’S £50

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21756, 4 July 1945, Page 4

STOREKEEPER’S £SO

SEQUEL IN COURT menacesHalleged

TWO MEN REMANDED (P.A.) WHANGAHEI, July .3. Joseph Walshaw Harvey, aged 58, and Anthony Charles Lockery, aged 30, both married, residing in Auckland, were each charged in the Kailaia Police Court that on June 30 at Herekino with menaces they did demand £SO from Steve Lunjevich, storekeeper of Herekino, with intent to steal the money. On the application of the police the accused were remanded to appear in Kaitaia on July 17.

In asking for bail Mr. Kelly submitted that both accused were men who hitherto had had unblemished characters. Harvey, before his re* timement from that department, had served 41 years with (he New Zealand Railways, retiring as senior foreman at the Otahuhu workshops. The younger man had occupied a responsible managerial position since 21 years of age. Detective - Sergeant Finlay, who prosecuted, stated that bail would not be objected to, but for the guidance of the Bench he outlined the basis on which the proceedings were laid. It was alleged, he said, that the accused called at Lunjevich’s store, Herekino, a country centre 20 miles south of Kaitaia, on Friday, presenting themselves as inspectors and asking for a check on the store’s sugar supplies. It was further alleged that this check disclosed a shortage of 46 bags against the storekeeper’s 1 coupon records. It was alleged that the men told Lunjevich that in Wellington a man had been fined £2OO in similar circumstances and that a three-year gaol sentence also applied. The allegation was that one man then said the matter would have to be squared and the sum of £IOO was mentioned. Detective-Serfeant Finlay continued. On Saturday £SO was handed over and the police, who were hiding on the premises, arrested the men.

The accused would have a comnlcte answer to the charges, remarked Mr. Kelly. Bail was allowed each in £2OO on his own recognisance, with one surely each of £2OO.