TWO MOTOR CARS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 173, 23 June 1926, Page 3

TWO MOTOR CARS

ALLEGATION OF THEFT. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, June 22. A charge of stealing two'motor cars was preferred against Norman Frank Wolters, aged 27, described as an agent, in the Magistrate’s Court. Welters appeared last Saturday, when he was remanded. On that occasion lie said he wa3 a retired naval officer. Ho was charged to-day with stealing one motor car valued at £l6O, the property of Dominion Motors, Ltd., and also charged with stealing a motor car, valued at £l*3, the property of N.Z. Automobiles, Ltd. Frederick James Tattle, manager of Dominion Motors, Ltd., stated that ho had only seen accused once. That was on the night he was arrested. On January 7 a car was hired to accused, under the hire purchase system. The value of tho car was £l6O. He paid £25 deposit, and had paid £55 altogether. Welters had no right to part with the car.

Dennis William Perrier, a tailor, of 648 Colombo street, said ho met accused on June 9. He bought a motor car for £95.

Walter F. Blackwell, manager of the retail department of N.Z. Automobiles, Ltd., said that Welters approached him in May, and stated that be was thinking of purchasing a car. He was lent a car for two or three days, and eventually purchased the car for £155, signing an agreement. The arrangement was that lie was to pay £4O deposit. On June 1 he paid £ls deposit. He was to find tho rest within a short period. Accused had no right to sell tho car.

Herbert Coels, a fruiterer, 6aid that on May 28 he purchased a car from Welters, paying £6O cash. Detective Mayne said that on June 18 at 5.15 p.m. Detective Thompson and ho arrested accused on a warrant in rfepcct to the Dominion Motors’ car. When he read the warrant to Welters he said, “Yes, that’s right.” On the way to the police station Welters said' that he had stolen the car because he was in debt. He said that ho would pay off the deficiency if he got a chance. He admitted the theft of the second car on Monday. Accused reserved his defence, and pleaded not guilty. He was committed for trial to the Supremo Court. Bail was allowed in £3OO and one surety of £3OO.

Mr Bell asked for tho suppression of accused’s name. He said that Welters had a position to go to. The Magistrate: I do not think it is a case for suppression.