CONSPIRACY CHARGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21030, 14 November 1931, Page 12

CONSPIRACY CHARGE.

ALLEGED PLAN TO ROB BANK. MAN AND YOUTH IN COURT. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] DAROAVILLE, Friday. A charge of conspiring to break and enter the premises of the Union Bank of Australia, Dargaville, was preferred against Reginald P. Hyland and a youth aged 16 in the Magistrate's Court. The accused pleaded not guilty. It was alleged that accused had conspired together to break into the bank and blow open the safe with gelignite. Eric Williams gave evidence that accused had endeavoured to get him to join them, but he had refused. In a signed statement which Constable Wakelin read the youth charged said: "A little over a week ago I was talking to Reg. Hyland. He told me things were very bad and he could not get work. The only thing to do was to break into some place. We then started talking of breaking into banks. We picked on the Union Bank and decided to break into the bank the first rough night. "We were going to blow the safe of the bank open with gelignite. Two of us were going to remain inside and one outside. We had hoped to get Eric Williams to help us. Hyland was to remain outside and keep watch and I and Williams were going inside. We did not know that there was a person sleeping on the premises. Wo thought there might be someone at the bank. We had decided to carry a pieco of wood to put them out', with.

"I have studied how to blow a lock with gelignite. Hyland does not know anything of gelignite as far as I know and has never used it. I wanted to get a revolver for my protection when we broke into the bank in case we were caught and to make good our escape. I would not willingly shoot a man dead with a revolver. I would only shoot to wound him. We wanted a motor vehicle to take the money away and hide it. After Eric Williams had refused to come in, Hyland suggested asking to come in." In his statement Hyland admitted having written a letter to Williams to see if he would assist. Hyland denied having asked any other person. Tho police gave evidence that after the arrest of Hyland they searched his rooms, but found no trace of housebreaking tools, firearms or explosives. Hyland also blamed tho youth for the proposals. Hyland's counsel submitted there was no case to answer, but the magistrate, Mr. G. N. Morris, committed both accused to the Supreme Court for trial.

Hyland was allowed bail in two sureties of £l5O each. Bail was not allowed in the case of the youth, but the magistrate offered no objection to the welfare officer taking him in charge.