CHANGE OF VENUE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19844, 17 July 1926, Page 17

CHANGE OF VENUE.

A COUNSEL’S PROTESTS. INFORMATIONS NOT AVAILABLE. (Pbb United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, July 10, Vehement protests against the necessity of having to go to Rangiora when summonses had been issued to appear at Christchurch were made by Mr W. J. Cracroft Wilson in the Magistrate’s Court to-day when appearing for a young stoker of H.M.S. Chatham, against whom there were a number of charges. The accused was Harold Malcolm Chenery, and he was charged with having deserted from H.M.S. Chatham, and also with two charges under the Arms Act, one of being in possession of an unregistered rifle and one of making a false declaration regarding it. „ . On the first charge, Senior Sergeant Martin asked that accused be remanded to appear at Auckland on July 23. Referring to the two charges under the Arms Act, he stated that accused was pleading guilty, but there were two other charges of theft, and regarding these he asked for a remand to Rangiora. “I object to that,” said Mr Cracroft Wilson. “We are prepared to go on, and the summonses have been served on the acccused to appear in Christchurch today. The Magistrate (Mr H. A. Young) and the clerk of the court turned over a number of papers, but it transpired that no theft charges were set down for to-day. Senior Sergeant Martin: The informations should be here. They must have gone on to Rangiora with the files. The Police Department wants the cases there as the thefts are alleged to have taken place at Cheviot, and it is not desired to have the expense of bringing a number of witnesses to Christchurch. Counsel: Chenery has been kept in gaol and it is unfair to have him kept there longer. I object strongly. Why should it be Rangiora? I do not want to go to Rangiora. What are we going to do? The Magistrate again pointed out that he had nothing before him regarding those charges. The Arms Act cases were taken, and Senior Sergeant Martin explained the position. He stated that Chenery had signed registration papers in_ the name of “Maurise Chambers,” which was an offence. “What was his object?” asked the Magistrate. “Ho was wanted on a warrant for desertion.” replied the sergeant Mr Wilson; He simply _ used a wrong name. When he came in contact with the police he had been rabbiting and using his right name, but used the other to the police as he did not want to be caught for desertion. 'lt was only a New Zealand boat, anyhow, and not one of the Royal Navy or anything like that. Accused was fined £5 on each of the charges, in default 14 days’ imprisonment. Then followed another series of rejections to going to Rangiora by Mr Wilson. “I have got all the summonses here for Christchurch to-day,” he said, brandishing a bunch of “Blucys.” “Why should Igo to Rangiora?” , T , The Bench: I understand, but 1 have nothing else before me. “I’m here anyway. said Mr \Vilson, and the question was dropped. On the desertion charge a i - omand to Auckland was granted.