AFTER-THEATRE PARTY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20385, 17 April 1928, Page 6

AFTER-THEATRE PARTY.

PRODUCTION OF REVOLVER. VAUDEVILLE COMEDIAN FINED. (Special to Daily Times.) CHRISTCHURCH, April 16. A party in a hotel bedroom, shillings in all round, and dicing to determine who should shout the next round of drink's, the changing of a £5 note, an alleged attempt at blackmail, and lastly the firing of a revolver; these happenings resulted in the appearance in the Magistrate's Court this morning of Nat Hanley, a music hall comedian, on a charge of presenting a, revolver at a , person. Besides presenting the firearm defendant was charged with unlawfully bringing a .32 revolver into -Tew Zealand and with being in possession of an \mrcgistered firearm. Hanley, who was represented by Mr M. J. Gresson, pleaded not guilty. " The plea is formal in respect of the two minor charges," said Mr Gresson, " but an absolute lenial is given the allegation that the defendant pointed the weapon. The other charges are trivial, as the revolver is part of the theatrical property, and was used by the defendant in his work. Chief-Detective Carroll said that the defendant had made no declaration of the revolver and blank to the Customs officials. The accused had made the following statement: —"On the evening of April 11, at about 11 o'clock, I finished at the theatre and returned to the Wellington Hotel, where I stay. I saw a man named Harris, a farmer, whom I knew as a boarder at the hotel. We went to his room for a drink, fhere were three other men there. Ido not know the names of of them. • It was suggested tha we should each put in 2s and dice for the lot, the winner to shout and keep the balance. Harris asked if anyone could change a £5 note. I said I could. T went to my room, returned, and gave Harris three £1 notes and four 10s notes in exchange for the £5. When I came back t. the room they were putting a shilling all round In the pool and dicing for-who should pay and keep the balance as before. I won several rounds. I went to my room later, and went to bed and slept. I was awakened and found three men in the room. ' You rooked Harris. We want a slice of that fiver,' said one. They were drunk and ugly. I said: 'Don't be mad. I gave Harris full change for the note.' I tried to mako them leave the room, but they would not. ' Come on,' said the spokesman, 'where is that fiver? You took Harris down for it.' I could think only of one way to get rid of them. I wept to my drawer and took out the revolver. I did not know it was loaded. I pulled the trigger, aiming at the flooi, and a blank cartridge exploded. They went, and five minutes later I heard them being ordered off the premises. I only took out tho revolver to frighten them, as they were acting in an ugly manner." ■ * " It is a very important matter that such firearms should be notified and registered," said the Magistrate (Mr E. D. Mosley), "especially pistols and revolvers. lam not going to convict him OL the major charge of presenting the firearm. It is agreed that we must.accept his statement. In his excitement he might have shot a man in the foot or leg." Mr Gresson: Blank cartridges, sir. Tho Magistrate: Oh, yes. Still, even i>lanks may cause accidents. Registration is most necessary, even though a firearm is theatrical property. bringing the revolver into New Zealand the defendant is fined 20s and costs. The presenting charge is dismissed, and for being, the owner of an unregistered revolver the defendant is convicted and discharged.-' ,',-.. The Magistrate also declared that the revolver must be forfeited to the Crown.