FIREARMS CASE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23011, 12 April 1938, Page 12

FIREARMS CASE

EXHIBITS IN COURT CARPENTER CHARGED DISCOVERY BY POLICE [by telegraph—own correspondent] PALMERSTON NORTH, Monday A collection of firearms and ammunition, including guns and revolvers, was displayed in tho Police Court to-day when Arthur Ernest Smith, aged 65, a carpenter, of Foxton, was charged with being in possession of an unregistered six-chambered revolver, possession of an unregistered shortened .303 rifle, unlawful possession of a .38 six-chambered revolver and ammunition, unlawful possession of a .303 pistol and with sending to William Trueman, town clerk of Foxton, a letter containing a threat to do grievous bodily harm to Truem:in. Detective-Sergeant Meiklejohn stated that as a result of a letter allezedly sent by accused, Detective Fell and Constable Edwards searched accused's home and found the guns and ammunition. Accused had been making guns and also ammunition, being in possession of a mould for bullets. Apparently Smith had a kink for this sort of thing and had quite an assortment of tools. Detective-Sergeant Meiklejohn also produced a dagger to show, he said, the stylo of work Smith was capable of. Tho Magistrate, Mr. J. L. Stout (to accused): Have you any explanation to offer why you are doing these things? Accused (referring to the dagger): That is an ornament.

The Magistrate: I wouldn't like to meet it.

Detective-Sergeant Meiklejohn said he thought there was something eccentric about Smith.

The magistrate said he would convict and discharge accused on the first two charges. On each of the third and fourth he would be fined £5, in default one month's imprisonment. As the fifth charge was an indictable one, accused was remanded for the taking of preliminary evidence.