FIND OF EXPLOSIVES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume L, Issue 175, 29 October 1917, Page 8

FIND OF EXPLOSIVES

SEAMAN IN POSSESSION

SUSPICIOUS CORRESPONDENCE.

When Harold Batten, aged 20 years, described as a seaman, appeared, crying; at the Central Police Court last week; on a charge of forging a seaman's certificate of discharge at Sydney on or about October 9, 1917, a sensational statement was made by the police prosecutor, Inspector Mitchell.

In applying for a remand for a week, and after the accused had asked for bail, Inspector Mitchell said : —"The forgery alleged is that the discharge, which actually belonged to the accused, had been altered from that of a sculleryman to that of a third mate. When arrested a quantity of gelignite, dynamite, detonators, and fuses were found in the possession of the accused, and correspondence relating to explosions on ships. That is the position." The Magistrate: What ship i 6 he employed on? Inspector Mitchell: A local vessel: I forget the name of it now. He has also been employed on the Union Company's The Magistrate: What nationality is he? Inspector Mitchell: A local product. (To the accused, who,was still crying): Where do you come from? The accused : Victoria. The defendant is fair-headed and of boyish, rather simple, appearance. He wore a dark serge 6uit in Court, ?.nd he cried all the time.