PAIR OF HANDCUFFS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19517, 22 December 1926, Page 15

PAIR OF HANDCUFFS.

MAN PASSES AS DETECTIVE, ALLOWED ON BOARD NIAGARA, MAGISTRATE IMPOSES FINE. 'A. charge that., not being » mem of the police force, he assumed the designation of a detective in order to gain admission to the mail steamer Niagara was preferred against Norman James Walsh in the Police Court yesterday, Donald McDonald, quartermaster on the Niagara, said he was on duty ai the gangway on Monday evening, when accused asked to be allowed on board. Ho had no ticket, but said he was a "tec." Me was wearing a badge with the letters " H.M.S. Challenger," and pulled aside his coat and showed a pair of handcuffs. Ho was then allowed to go on board. After about ten minute* witness furned round and saw htm walk ing about, and then told him to go ashore., Ho remained on the wharf for about twenty minutes and then sa.id he wanted to see the second steward. Fortunately the second steward came along a few minutes later, but accused then said. "That is not the man." 'A constable pave evidence that when arrested accused made a statement in which he said he purchased the handcuffs about five years ago. Ho took them out with him thinking he might, be able to assist a policeman. He had assisted the police in the patt. Accused in evidence said ho was under the influence of liquor at the time. He did not have the handcuffs for any illegal purpose. Ho had bean drinking' with a person who stated ho was the second steward on the Niagara. He was willing to take out a prohibition order. Sienior-Sergeant Edwards said accuser! had previously been prohibited, and hit order expired only on Monday, . He liar, been before the Court previously, but drink was the cause of his trouble. The magistrate, Mr, Hunt, . remarked that the last man charged with this offence had been sent!, to gaol bui, in response to an. appeal Inv accused's sister, lie imposed a fine of £s,.in default, our' month's imprisonment, and ordered thai the handcuffs should bo forfeited and ; prohibition order issued. A fortnight wn allowed in which to pay the fine.