CAUGHT IN THE ACT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 20 February 1915, Page 8

CAUGHT IN THE ACT

BUYING HIS OWN BICYCLE. MAGISTRATE AND LAWYER. A bicycle which had been left by Mr J. A. Cassidy, solicitor, in the bicycle rack outside the Royal Exchange Building*. Christchurch, the other morning.. was removed, but not by the owner, says the Christchurch '•.Sun." In the afternoon Messrs Bell Brothers received a call from, a man who wished to sell the same, bike, which, unfortunately, was recognised as a machine recently sold to Mr Cassidy. The caller was told to return in half an hour, when he would be given a price. On his return Mr Cassidy was waiting in the shop, and Detective Regan in an inner office. Mr Cassidy presumably as a prospective buyer, asked the price, and was t.id '"two quid." This was too much for the lawyer, who had visions of recently handing ovtr some £22 for the machine, and ho (ailed for the detective, to whom the man could cive no more coherent account of his coming into possession than that he got it "over there from a m;m called Regan." "Come on with me," said the detective then with a cleat .conscience, and ho piloted his man to the colls. As a sequel to the transaction, in the Magistrate's Court the next morning, before Mr IT. W. Bishop, S.M., James Bowkcr, 35 years of age, set down on the charge sheet as being born in Australia and of :io religion, was charged with stealing a bicycle valued at £l4, the property of James Cassidy. 'James Cassidy." echoed Mr Bishop. "I don't plead" guilty to stealing the oike, but I tried to sell it." He was informed there was no difference. "The Chief Detective was proceeding to say that the bicycle was taken from outside Mr Cassidy's office. Mr Bishop : Well, I think if people are as careless as that they deserve to lose their bikes. It is surprising to me that a man like Mr Cassidy, who ccmes into such close contact with criminals, should give such an opportunity. Mr Cassidy proceeded to state that be* had not been careless. The machine was not left cutside his office, but in the Royal Exchange Buildings cycle rack. '•There is such a thing as a lock," suggested Mr Bishop. The Chief Detective: They take the lock. "Ob, it's .easy enough to find excuses." _ ># "It's an easy thine to take bicycles. "Who says it isn't?" "I admit that in most cases the thefts arise out of carelessness on the part of j '.he owners." Mr Cassidy again wished to say tha.. h.* had not been careless. ' Mr Bishop : Oh, it's all right. I was reallv giving you a little homily thai, t.he Chief Detective took very seriously. Bowker said be was drunk at the time, otherwise he would not have got into trouble. lie had been convicted twice previously for theft, and was told by Mr Bishop that he was generally an abominable waster. For the present lapse ho was sentenced to six months' imprisonmen.