BICYCLE STEALING.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14970, 18 May 1914, Page 2

BICYCLE STEALING.

A STIFF SENTENCE.

Edward _\ichols was charged with the then; of a bicycle of tho value of £10. The case had boen partly heard and adjourned for the evidence of Another witness, Neill McNeill, who stated that he had bought tho bicycle from tho accused outside a hotel for thirty shillings. "It's a pretty risky business, buying a bicycle m .the street like that," said Mr Bishop. "Surely 3_u knew it was worth more than tnlrCy shillings. The accused said he was too drunk at tho tilne to know anything about it, which 1 don't believe.''

Witness said that accused told him that ho was going into tho country; and that it would be too hilly for. him to ride the bicycle, which he was anxious to got rid of for that reason. "But the bicycle is valued at £10," protested Mr Bishop, "and yon bought it on the street for thirty shillings." Chief-Detective Bishop said that the selling value of a bicycle depreciated very much after it had been -used. It was very difficult to set much for even a new bicycle after it bad been ridden only a few times.

"It's all very well for yon to talk like that," replied Mr Bishop, "but in this case the fact that the man sold the bicycle for a paltry thirty shil- > lings was very fair presumptive . evi-. denco that he did not. come by.it hon- I estly." - I

Chief Detective Bishop said that the accused had only recently come out of gaol after serving a term for theft at Timaru.

"Thero must be an awful lot of bicycles stolen in Christchurch," said Mr Bishop.

The' Chief Detective replied that there were, and that the owners wero very much to blame for their carelcs-"-ness in leaving • their machines about the streets.

"If they can Be got rid of as easily as this one," pursued Mr Bishop, "I don't wonder at the number of th&fts. It was suggested the other day that somebody ought to steal my bicycle, and 4hat I might then appreciate matters better."

Chief-Detective Bishop said that thenwere about 120 unclaimed bicycles afc the Police Station.

"Perhaps the owners of many of therm stole them in the first place," suggested tho Magistrate.

Accused was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, with hard labour.