ALLEGED THREATS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21114, 23 February 1932, Page 12

ALLEGED THREATS.

ANONYMOUS LETTERS. LABOURER SENT FOR TRIAL. A labourer, Alliert Victor Denny, appeared in the Police Court, before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., yesterday, charged with sending a letter to Thomas Moodio Sharp aj, Henderson on or about January 25 containing threats to destroy premises owned by Sharp. Accused pleaded not guilty. Thomas Moodie Sharp, baker, residing at Sharp's Bush, Henderson Valley, said that, on returning home from his work on December 23, he found a tea kiosk owned by him burned to (he ground. A building containing stores also had been destroyed. The cost of the building was about £IOO and the stock was worth about £4O, there being no insurances. Witness expressed tjio opinion that the fire was started by an experienced busllinau. because only the buildings were burned and the surrounding bush had escaped. Denny had been employed occasionally by witness, but he was dismissed. In mail received by witness on January 26 an envelope arrived containing a lettercard exhibited in Court. Another anonymous letter was received by witness on December 12. Witness also produced two letters purporting to be written by witness' daughter to accused's son, but really written, Sharp stated, to accused under a threat. Witness said lie was at present employing a Chilean on his faun. Answering the magistrate, Sharp said he. received anonymous letters before and after (he fire. An interview with Denny on February 10 was described by Detective T. Sneddon. Accused denied setting fire to the Jdosk and at first denied sending the letter concerned in the charge._ Denny had sup plied specimens of printing and had spell the. words " gone", and " hear as " gorne" and "here." These mistakes occurred in the. writing received by Sharp. Cross-examined, Detective Sneddon said the police had not been able to obtain sufficient evidence about the fire. Denny, witness went on to fay, made a statement which was produced in Coiut. Accused said Sharp s daughter had been corresponding with his son and he bad returned letters of hers, but he did not remember sending any other le.teis to Sharp. Subsequently, he admitted that he had sent the letter-card to Sharp, but repeated his denial that he had set fire to the kiosk. The printing on the lettercard exhibited by (he detective was as follows:—" If the Chilean is not sent off the farm on or before January 20. we will destroy everything on the farm. After the *2Bl hj, if we hear he has not gone for good, we will get to work. Vours, the Gang.'® In committing accused for trial, the magistrate granted bail of £IOO.