TWO MEN FOUND IN CAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20556, 6 May 1930, Page 14

TWO MEN FOUND IN CAR.

CHARGE OF CONVERSION.

THREE MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT

" If these two attendants had not been alert, this car vould probably have been taken like others., and might have been found this morning, perhaps burned," said Mr. IT. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday in sentencing Charles Willoughby Shortland, aged 26, butcher, and John Henry O'Meagher, aged 23, motor driver, to three months' impiisonment oti a charge of unlawfully converting to their own use a motor-car valued at £l3O. .Accused wero represented by Mr. Hayman, who entered a plea of not guilty. James Wilfred Anderson, the owner of the car, said ho drove into tho city on Saturday evening and parked his car in front of tho Wcllesley Street Post Oißco There were no locking arrangements on flic car, so he turned off the petrol, and then went to a theatre. When ho came back the petrol was turned on, but the car had not been moved. Nornian Jones, motor-car attendant at a theatre, said that on Saturday evening he watched tho accused playing with the gears of a motor-car in front of the Wellesley Street Post Office, and he pointed out tho. men to another attendant. lie saw (he two accused get into tho car, and the engine was started and the lights turned on. When a police patrol passed, accused got out and stood at the back of tho car, but got in again and restarted the engine when the patrol had gone. Witness then communicated with the polico, and waited until the detectives arrived. A third man had been with the accused, and was standing in front of the car, hut made off when the detectives appeared. Detective Knight said O'Mengher was in the driver's seat, and Shortland in the back. When asked what they were doing in Die car, O'Meaghcr produced his driving licence, and said tho car had been lent to him, l.mt refused to say by whom. Shortland gave an incorrect name, but later gave his correct name. Mr. Hayman said that O'Meagher, who lived at Pannmre, came into town on Saturday . and met Shortland. Thcv walked up town and met a man known ns Mack, who asked them to come to a party, saying tlwit he iiad a car waiting. They walked to Wcllesley Street, where Mack approached a motor-car, rifted the bonnet, and turned on the petrol. Shortland got into tho roar seat, Mack into the driver's seat and O'Meagher sat in the front -with Mack. The car would not start properly, so Mack got out and O'Meagher took the wheel. The detectives then came tip, and Mack disappeared. ' " This Mack is the same man who gives people stolen gold watches in the street." said the, magistrate.

Shorthand said he had met Mack once before at a dance, und knew him by sight. Personally he could not drive ;i car.

" Why did you not tell this story to tho police when you were at the station ?" Mr. Hunt asked accused, in sentencing them to three months' imprisonment.