STORY OF A TIE PIN

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2124, 16 May 1922, Page 7

STORY OF A TIE PIN

WHEN IS A JOKE NOT A JOKE? YOUTH COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. After bidding good-bye at the railway station to a friend he had known in Hastings a couple of years previously, George Vining, an employee of the Independent Pictures, missed a gold and opal tie-pin from his attire. He rang up Hastings immediately, and later ascertained that his friend, Archie Wilson, had alighted from the train wearing the jewellery. Next day the pin was recovered by the police, with the explanation from Wilson ihat he had taken it as a joii>s. Vining failed to see the humour of the situation, the pin being a keepsake and valued at £6, and laid an information in Palmerston North. Accordingly accused appeared on sur.;mons before. Mr .1. L. Stout, S.M., yesterday afternoon in answer to a charge of having stolen the pin. Pie was represented by Mr W. L. Fitzherbert. The facts as above were related from the vitness-box by complainant, who also stated that accused had visited him at the Pictures on Saturday evening last and insisted that he hud taken the pin as a joke. Mr Fitzherbert said he proposed to call no evidence, and if his Worship considered a prima facie case had been made out accused would elect to go before, a- jury. Counsel submitted it was a trivial case, and that the pin was taken as a joke. No intent to convert the pin to his own use could be shown, as accused had only had it in his possession one day. The ,\lagistiate observed 'that the question presented Itself of why accused did not. hand the pin back again as the train was having, instead of carrying it away to Hastings. Such an action necessitated his return io Palmerston North to give the pin bark or else posting it. It seemed that accused should give some explanation of his conduct. Accused, after conferring with his counsel, declined to do so. expressing preference for his case to be heard by the Supreme Court. He pleaded not guilty and was committed for trial at the Supreme l Court sittings in Napier. Bail was allowed in the sum of £25 and one surety for a like amount.