RAILWAY POINTS BLOCKED

Otago Witness, Issue 4066, 16 February 1932, Page 27

RAILWAY POINTS BLOCKED

YOUNG MAN ARRESTED REMANDED IN CUSTODY. AUCKLAND, February 9. Last July two attempts were made to block the railway points at Mount Eden, pieces of wood being wedged in them. One attempt was made known to the police by someone calling himself “ Old Black Joe, the railway foe.” After long search, the police last night arrested James Ramsay, aged 18, who was charged to-day with wilfully placing an obstruction in the railway points, and also wilfully setting fire to a boot factory on February 1. Detective Sergeant Kelly said the accused, in a statement, admitted the railway offences and also starting several fires, also that he had written letters signed “ Old Black Joe ” to a newspaper, giving exaggerated reports of his doings. Counsel asked for suppression of the name, as his parents were respectable people. He said the accused was quite “ mental.” “ The question is, is he certifiably mental? ” said the magistrate, who refused the application, saying that accused had said he wanted notoriety, and now he could have it. The accused was remanded in custody.