CARRIER EXONERATED OF THEFT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 116, 21 May 1946, Page 3

CARRIER EXONERATED OF THEFT

TOOK KEROSENE DRUM FROM ROADSIDE "1 am going to take an unusual course and permit vou to change your plea to not guil.y," Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., told Gavin James Gillespie, carrier, in the Wanganui Magistrate's Court yesterday, after hearing the circumstances surrounding a charge of theft to which defendant had pleaded guilty. The magistrate then dismissed the information under Section 92 of the. Justices of the Peace Act. Gillespie was charged with stealing a 44-gallon drum containing 10 gallons of power kerosene, valued at £1 Bs, and the properly of Eric J. Strachan, farmer, Okoia. Detective-Sergeant J. K. Robertson said that the d;um had been left beside the road for some time, and complainant had drawn kerosene from it as required. In a ; tatement made to Detective Vasta defendant had said he had seen the drum lying beside the road for about six weeks as he passed up and down and thought it had been abandoned. The drum and kerosene had been recovered intact. Defendant told the magistrate that the drum was lying beside the road about half a mile from complainant's house and was partly covered with gras'. He thought it had been dumped there. The magistrate said that the facts disclosed that defendant had genuinely thought that the drum had been a.iandoned and had been quite candid when questioned by the police. It was a case in which the discretion permitted under Section 92 should be exercised.

To-morrow (Wednesday) afternoon toe’ annual meeting of the Western District Council of the Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand will be held at the Wanganui A. and P. Association’s rooms in Ridgway Street. Presiding over the meeting will be Mr. Wm. Craig, patron of the Wanganui A. and P. As ociation, and delegates representing A. and P. Associations at New Plymouth, Hawera, Wanganui, Waverley, Marton. Palmerston North, rViltung, Levin, and Raetihi will be present. The schedule of show dates tot the 1946-47 season will be finalised, and among other matters to cr me up for discussion it the question of charges made by side-showmen. 'Jne election of five members to act on the'Council of the Royal Agricultural Society will also take place.