UNREGISTERED GUNS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 21 March 1927, Page 5

UNREGISTERED GUNS.

CASES AT COT.LINGWOOD’. By Telegrupn—Press Association. NELSON, March 19. The unusual spectacle of a police constable endeavouring to tire an automatic pistol with a certain ammunition formed an interesting feature in connection with the sitting of the Magistrate's Court at Oollingwood. The weapon failed to discharge the ammunition in question, but the spectators, judging by their attitude feared more than a discharge in the ordinary wav.

The incident occurred in a case where Charles Class, Bainliam. farmer, was charged: (1) With being in possession of two automatic pistol; (2) with being in possession of a quantity of ammunition expressly' intended and adapted for use ill an .automatic pistol; (3) with being found in possession of an unregistered double barrelled, breach-load-ing shot gun ; (4) with being in possession of an unregistered firearm, a Remington repeater rifle, contrary to the Arms Act, 1920. Counsel for the defendant pleaded guilty on behalf of defendant to all the charges, save that of having ammunition especially' intended for use man automatic pistol. He explained To the Court that defendant was a Alain Body man. who had gone throngff the war to the hist day. and who had acquired automatic revolvers in France as souvenirs. Defendant had used all The ammunition he bad taken from France tor use in automatic revolvers in giving exhibitions to his friends. Constable Joss deposed that this was not so. He said the ammunition found fitted the nutomntio revolvers, and could he used for them. Counsel strenuously denied this, and anplied to the Court for an order that the Constable should be ordered to fire the automatic pistol. This was granted, and the Court and snpotntors adjourned for the purpose, when, after severa 1 tries, the Constable s’crnally faded to fire either automatic pistol. On resuming, counsel contended that, ns the tests had failed there was no proof that this ammunition was intended for use in an automatic revolve!. The Afagistrate (?dr G. E. Mansell) upheld the contention. Ho made an order for the forfeiture of the revolvers, and imposed a line of £2 on the charges of having them, stating that had the ammunition fitted the revolvers he would have imposed a very severe penalt- indeed. On the other two charges, he convicted the defendant, and fined brim £l, but refused to make an order for forfeiture. John B. Ha’dune, of Barulinm, was a’so charged with befng in possession of an unregistered automatic revolver. Counsel explained that defendant had acquired three German automatic revolvers m Frnnre. and on his return at once registered himself as owner of two, giving one to his bvether. who neglected to register it. Defendant had taken the responsibilty of keeping tlie revolve,” in h’s own house. On this charge defendant was convicted and fined £2 and casts.