MISSING GEAR

NZ Truth, Issue 1305, 18 December 1930, Page 5

MISSING GEAR

hands of the police. On the Saturday evening West called on him Avhere he Avas Avorking at another picture shoAV, and later met him, drove him home, and handed over the missing gear. He had knoAvn West for at least a couple of years, and their acquaintance Avas more than casual, as both AA-ere interested m radio and audioengineering. Carroll told Mr. F. B. Adams, crown prosecutor, he was sure he had discussed these subjects with West, who was employed at the automatic telephone exchange. Mr. Adams read out a letter, unsigned, Avhich Carroll had received from West m AA'hich the Avriter suggested that- Carroll should tell the poliee'that accused and -he. Avere "cobbers" and had . "mucked about toge- I ther," experimenting ip radio. Cross-examined, by Mr. White, Garroll said West -Avould have- been m view of anyone m the hall, Avhen he climbed, up. into, the operating box.' . A felloAv-Avorker m fhe. exchange, Arthur Michie, said on the Friday after the gear Avas taken, West brought the pick-up to him and asked him to test it as he thought he had damaged 'it.' '■ : ! Michie said he recognised the make of the pick-up, and later got m touch with the manufacturers, and learnt it Avas the missing one Avhich belonged to Carroll. West had, a day or two previously, asked Michie where he ■ could find Caeroll, and had been told that Carroll's employers did not like their employees being rung up. Michie said he had asked West Avhere hd got the pick-up but had received no reply, although it Avas quite possible he might not have heard, a reply OAving to the ..noise m the exchange. In cross-examination, Michie said West had been employed m Government work m Dunedin for five years, and gave him an excellent character. Acting-detective Turgis said West made a statement Avhen intervieAved m Avhich he said he played the piano for dances at the Mac Andrew Bay Hall. He kneAV Carroll ■ had been working there and stored his gear there, and on the' eA'enirig m question he had a look at it before the dance and afterwards took Avhat he Avanted, although he had no authority to do so, and told no one about it. The statement continued that it was pure carelessness on his part thathe did not tell Carroll he had the goods, which he intended to return on the Saturday, as he knew