BREACH OF ARMS ACT

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1935, Page 14

BREACH OF ARMS ACT

CHANGES OF OWNERSHIP FOUND ON LICENSED PREMISES. NEW PLYMOUTH COURT SITTING. James Edward Donald faced three charges in the New Plymouth Police Court yesterday, before Mr. W. H. Woodward, S.M., arising out of the charge of ownership of a .22 calibre rifle. He pleaded guilty to all charges and was convicted and ordered to pay costs amounting to 12s bn a charge of procuring possession of a rifle at Auckland on or about February 2, 1929, from Frederick David Holland, when not being lawfully entitled to obtain such possession. He was convicted and discharged on the charges of being in possession of a rifle at Auckland on or about February 11, 1929, for more than seven days without registering as the owner, and with giving possession of the rifle on or about, February 16, 1932, to John Goodman at Whenuakura, Goodman not being entitled to lawfully obtain possession. While on a holiday at Auckland Donald had the rifle given to him by Holland, said Sergeant Clist. Donald took it to his father’s farm near Patea, where 18 months later he gave it to Goodman, who was then employed by his father. Donald was not aware that he was required to register the rifle. There was no reason to disbelieve that it was ignorance on his part, but ignorance was no excuse, said Sergeant Crist. He was sure Donald did not intend to flout the law. Holland was already prosecuted and proceedings would be taken against Goodman at Hawera.

Charged, with obtaining liquor on March 23 while still under the control of a prohibition order Felix Misohefski pleaded guilty and was fined IQs and ordered to pay costs IDs.

Sergeant Clist reported he had found Mischefski under the influence of liquor. Mischefski was a good worker, said Mr. A. A. Bennett, and 15 years’ employment by the New Plymouth Borough Council should stand to his credit to some extent. The current order would expire on Wednesday and the offence was the first Since the order was taken out. Mr. Bennett thought that as Mischefski admitted the breach and expressed his regret he was entitled to leniency. Mrs. J. T. Bolton was fined 30s and costs 13s for operating an unlicensed radio set on March 23.

Leslie E. Birch, assistant radio inspector, said he inspected the set at Mrs. Bolton’s residence, where it had been for about three months. Her excuse was that it was on trial. He did not know whether the set had been registered or returned.

Pleading guilty by letter Herbert Standring was fined £2 and ordered to pay costs amounting to 10s for being on licensed premises at the Breakwater Hotel on April 2.

Constable Fleming was inspecting the licensed premises when there was a knock at the door, said Sergeant Clist. The constable answered the door and Standring what he wanted and he replied he had coms to see the manager. The manager was present at the time and Standring had nothing to say to him; he had obviously come for liquor.