MUSICIAN'S WRONG NOTE

NZ Truth, Issue 1173, 24 May 1928, Page 9

MUSICIAN'S WRONG NOTE

Lindblom Blames Barleycorn For Criminal En'tracte

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Auckland Representative.) Sir John Barleycorn mahes many friends. Into his most mttmate confidence crept Frederick Nicholas Lindblom. Noitf Frederick has, publicly denounced Sir John as the Devil* s Prompter, who led him down the broad path of iniquity.

WHAT is more — and it issues as a warning to all who aspire to

Paderewskian fame — musical attainment, according to Llndblom's excuses for his waywardness, may be the secret crochets and quavers of crime. Frederick Nicholas Llndblom, alias Lind, alias De Cosse, aged 29, has at his flnger-tips a dual means of livelihood that many might envy. Firstly, he Ha flrst-class electrician by trade; secondly, he is a talented musician. Albeit, he has not been able to make a circuit of clean citizenship — nor keep his fingers off the instruments of transgression. In January , 1925, at Hamilton, he was committed to a term of 19 months' probation, with restitution of £43 4b. 2d. and payment of £12 6s. costs. Of this total amount £40 4s. 2d. is still owing. Five months later, at Auckland, he received one month's imprisonment for breach of the terms of his probation, with a further conviction and order to come up for sentence for assault. Another five months elapsed — and Frederick again made his appearance before the court for breach of probation, this time receiving three months' gaol. i He was scarcely out of prison before he was hauled up again on a charge of assault and returned to relegation for another, two months. Lessons such as these would bear some fruits of reform m most young delinquents, but Lindblom was no willing student. In January of last year he made the acquaintance of a Wanganui magistrate, who handed him three months for breach of probation and another three for being drunk m charge of a car. Lindblom's latest performance on the stage of ill -doing was more thrilling than all his other escapades boxed into one. - On Anzac Day he converted a £500 motor-car belonging to a -man named Russell to his own use, then set sail for an urban destination. Fortunately, Constable Johnson, of Onehunga, was on the alert and endeavored to intercept the fugitive as he sped through the suburb. Liindblom disregarded the constable's flashing torch and headed for a country road. With commendable initiative, Constable Johnson hired a taxi and gave chase. Liindblom was met on the road headIng back for Onehunga, when the chase culminated In a thrilling foot race across a vacant section after the young

Following a strenuous tussle with his quarry, the officer managed to bring his handcuffs into commission, m spite of a badly cut hand which necessitated medical attention.

When brought before Magistrate Hunt at the city police court, Lindblom pleaded guilty to charges of resisting arrest, unlawfully converting and breach of probation.

"I can only throw him on the mercy of the court," stated Lawyer F. D, McLiver, appearing for accused. "Drink has been this man's

whole trouble.

"He la a talented musician . . . consequently he Is invited out and feted. When he touches drink — whisky especially — it leads him into temptation. He cannot stand it.

"When 1 he was young he had both ears operated upon and possibly that may affect him when he is drunk.

"It was on Anzac Day that he committed this offence ... he had consumed half a bottle of whisky . . .

'"It is only when he is drunk that; things have occurred. His 'mother and father have spent all their ; earnings on him . . .. I can offer no solution other than the suggestion that he may be more a case for medical attention." An employer of the accused testified to Llndblom's qualifications as an electrician. Referring to the Injury to the constable's hand, counsel contended that it had not been Inflicted by his client, J but had been caused when the fight took the pair through a barbed-wire fence. "I am not going to have our constables knocked about," declared the 8.M., and Constable Johnson went into the witness-box to describe the chase. He had, he said, cut his hand as he scrambled through the fence. When he caught up with the accused and thought the surrender was complete, however, Lindblom suddenly became violent and made a further attempt to escape, pushing his hand up under the constable's nose. Frederick Nicholas was sentenced to three months for converting the car, one month for resisting the police and three months for the breach of probation, the terms to be cumulative.