SEQUEL TO BANK INCIDENT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 210, 18 August 1933, Page 5

SEQUEL TO BANK INCIDENT

ACCUSED PLEADS GUILTY. OTHER CHARGES PREFERRED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) PALMERSTON NORTH, Aug. 18. Arising out of the sensational incident at a local bank last Friday, William Munn MacDonald, a mechanic, aged 19, appeared before Justices and was charged that, being armed with an offensive weapon, a loaded revolver, he attempted to rob William Loudon, teller of the Union Bank of Australia. Other charges were preferred as follows:—Breaking and entering the dwelling of Henry Morgan on August 1 with intent to commit a crime; stealing on August 3 from the Milsou arcodrome a cheque for £4 0s 6d and 2s 6d cash; obtaining on August 10 at Pahiatua. with intent to defraud by means of b valueless cheque goods to the value of 9s 6d, and £4 0s fld in cash; breaking and entering by night on August 8, at Masterton, a dwellinghouse and stealing several articles and cheque forms to tho total value of £3 17s. Constable Compton gave evidence regarding the Union Bank affair. He arrested the accused and found in his possession a seven-chambered revolver fuly cocked, and five live cartridges. Subsequently the accused made a statement that he had made up his mind to get some money from the bank. After waiting about the premises for some time he entered, presented the note and later dashed away. The teller, Mr Loudon, gave evidence of receiving the note presented by accused, which demanded £2OO in singles, with the warning: “I have you covered. If you attempt to give the alarm I will shoot you. I’m desperate. Don’t hesitate,” Witness said he fired shots to give the alarm. After further evidence had been hoard the accused pleaded guilty to tho first four charges, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. He was remanded to appear at Masterton on the fifth charge.