CHEEKY CHRISTIE

NZ Truth, Issue 605, 20 January 1917, Page 6

CHEEKY CHRISTIE

How a Motor Bike was

"Boned"

How the Agent was Left m the Lurch.

A Soldier's Taking Way

Joseph Thomas Christie, a soldier m uniform, was charged at the Wellington Magistrate's Court, on Wednesday morning last, before Mr. S. E. McCarthy, S.M., with helping himself to a brand new Indian motor bicycle, the property 6f the Nonpariel Motor Co., Palmerston North. Christie elected to be tried m the Supreme Court. Detective-Sergeant Cox detailed the circumstances which led to Christie's arrest. It appears that the accused rang up the Nonpariel Motor Co. from the Grand Hotel re an Indian motor bicycle. It was arranged that a trial spin should be arranged the next day. When accused got on the machine next day he rode off and WAS SEEN NO MORE. The following day the accused sold the\ "bike" to a Mrs. Drew, for £55. Drew keeps a tea room at Lyall Bay. Frederick Slater, rep. for the Nonpariel Motor Co., Palmerston North, said that on December 27 he got a telephone message from the Grand Hotel re an Indian motor cycle. Specifications and details were asked for and furnished. These witness supplied over the 'phone, also telling him ' it was the last machine they had m i stock. Accused particularly requested them to keep the machine, saying he would come round the following-.morn-ing. Next morning, sure enough, accused came round and was shown the machine. A trial run was "suggested to the Fitzherbert Hill. Witness rode the machine while accused sat on the back carrier. On reaching the top of the hill they turned for home. When they got to the Palmerston North side of Manawatu bridge, ■ accused asked to be allowed to try if he could change the gears. Witness said, "All right, I'll wait here for you." Witness said accused went m the direction of Palmerston North, and that was the last he saw of him. The value of the machine was £100 retail./ ' Elizabeth Drew, sworn, said that she kept tea rooms at Lyall Bay. She knew the accused. On December 29 last, he called at the tea-rooms about 11 a-m., and on two ( other occasions the same day. He had tea on two' occasions. When he came In forvthe tea accused said his hands were- dirty, owing to riding a motor bike. He drew witness's attention to the bike, and said he had ADVERTISED IT FOR SALE. Witness said she was thinking of buying one, but had not the time to look at it then. Witness made an appointment, and the accused came round at 7 p.m. As a result, witness examined the machine and offered him £40 for it. Accused said he wanted £65 for it. Witness told him to come back the next morning when she would give him a, final answer. Accused returned next morning shortly after 10 o'clock, and witness gave him £10 deposit on the machine, the accused leaving the bike with her, also giving witness a receipt, signed "William Arnold." It was arranged that witness would go straight down to the post office and get the balance of the money. They went down together, and the balance was, paid over to accused. Accused again made out a receipt m the name of "William Arnold." Detective-sergeant Lewis detailed how he interviewed the accused m Wellington. On January 8 toe interviewed the accused In connection with tho Indian motor bicycle. Accused denied having stolen or sold the machine. Later, the accused was Identified by Mrs. Drew and other persons. The £55 had not been recovered, ACCUSED HAD £1 WHEN ARRESTED. The accused denied having had anything to do with tho theft When charged, accused pleaded guilty, and was formally committed to the Supremo Court for sentence, «^On the charge of stealing an Indian motor bicycle, at Chris tchurdh on January 7, tho property of .Harold Hughes, the accused was remanded until Friday.