OUT TO THE BEACH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19733, 30 December 1926, Page 6

OUT TO THE BEACH

IN A STOLEN CAR YOUNG MAN’S JAUNT—AND THE SEQUEL. TWO MONTHS IN GAOL. A nocturnal journey to Castlecliff in a car that was not his own was responsible for the appearance of Robert Lancaster Fairweather, 18 years of age, at the Wanganui Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning, before Messrs J. Morrison, J.P. and F. Spencer, J.IL Accused was charged with converting a motor car to his own use without lawful authority on Monday, and with being idle and disorderly. He pleaded guilty on the second charge and not guilty on the first. Thomas G. Hackshaw stated that he, parked his car about 8 p.m. on December 27, in St. Hill Street, opposite the Wanganui Club. On his return later the car had disappeared. Witness informed the police and after procuring another car, proceeded to Castlecliff. There he noticed his own machine standing outside the kiosk. He left the car under the supervision of a friend and went to Castlecliff police station. One of the mudguards was damaged. The evidence of the previous witness was corroborated by James P. McDavitt. He saw accused come out of the dance hall and enter Hackshaw’s car. Witness approached accused and askel him what he was doing with the car. Accused made a mumbled reply and returned to the dance hall. Witness later searched for accused without result. Accused, in his evidence, denied taking the car from St. Hill Street, out admitted attending the dance at Castlecliff. He said he had had a few drinks with some young fellow's outside in a car near the’ kiosic Cross-examined by Detective J. Walsh, who conducted the case for the police, accused stated that he did not know the young men who were drinking with him.

Detective Walsh declared that accused had been living loosely for tho past month. He had advised him to obtain work in the country. Accused’s word could not be' relied on. A sentence of two months’ hard labour was imposed on accused on the charge of converting the car to his own use. He was convicted and' discharged on the other charge.