BANK HOLD UP

Wairarapa Daily Times, 19 August 1933, Page 4

BANK HOLD UP

PALMERSTON NORTH INCIDENT.

ACCUSED FOR SENTENCE,

PALMERSTON NORTH, Friday.

Arising out of the sensational incident at a local bank last Friday, William Murn MacDonald, a mechanic, aged 19, appeared before Justices of the Peace to-day and was charged that, being armed with a loaded revolver, he attempted to rob William Loudon, a teller of the Union Bank of Australia.

Other charges were preferred as follow: —Breaking and entering the dwelling of Henry Morgan on Ist August with intent to commit a on 3rd August, with stealing frcM the Milson Aerodrome a cheque for £4 Os 6d and 2s 6d in cash; on 10th August, at Palliatua, with intent to defraud, by means of a valueless cheque he obtained goods to the value of 9s 6d, and £4 0s Gd in cash; on Bth August, at Masterton, breaking and entering by night a dwellinghouse and stealing several articles and cheque forms of a total yalue of £3 17s.

Constable Compton gave evidence that when lie arrested the accused he found in Ids possession a seven-cliam-bered revolver "fully cocker, and five live cartridges. Subsequently the accused stated that he had made up liismind to get some money from the bank. After waiting about the premises for some time he had entered and presented a note, and later had dashed

away. The teller, William Loudon, said that the note presented by the accused demanded £2OO in single notes, with the warning: “I have ybu covered. If you attempt to give an alarm I will shoot you. I’m desperate. Don’t hesitate.” Witness said that he fired shots to give the alarm. After.further evidence had , been heard, the accused pleaded guijjty on the first four charges, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. He was remanded to appear at Masterton on the fifth charge.—(P.A.)