STORY OF A COLLECTION-BOX

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2480, 5 June 1915, Page 2

STORY OF A COLLECTION-BOX

CARNIVAL DAY AND A SAD • AFTERMATH. Two young men have cause to vividly remember for many days to come the opening of Wellington's Carnival. One, Don Nicholson by name, donned a. gay oavalier costume in the morning, armed himself with a collection-box, and with hundreds of other willing helpers was soon collecting the small change of tho sight-seers. On arrival at tlio park, wlion a number "f tho boxes were handed in, Nicholson's box disgorged the largest amount of money. He secured another box, and was soon well on towards filling that. Later, however, lie fell in with oertain persons, and while tho contcnta of his collcotion-box remained the same Nicholson was unwise enough to have drinks at various hotels. In the evening ho was observed in Manners Street, and, as a result, the police were informed, and Sergeant Wiloox, following tho directions of his , informant, came upon Nicholson and two others engaged in a seoluded_ portion of old Customhouse Street in vigorously shaking the liox. One of the trio beat a hasty retreat on tho approach of the sergeant, and was seen no moro, whilo tho other two remaining were arrested on charges of insobriety. Nicholson's companion was a young man named David Dick. On investigating, Sergeant Wilcox found the collectionbox to be slightly open, while a threepenny bit was found nearby where tie two mere arrested. Yesterday Nicholson and Dick pleaded guilty before Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., to charges of insobriety. Inspector Hendroy intimated that another charge. was pending against the accused, and they were accordingly remanded to tho afternoon, when they were charged with attempting to commit tho theft of a sum of money from a contribution box tho property of tho Wellington Carnival Committeo. Both pleaded not guilty. Afor hearing partial evidence as related above, also evidence that Nicholson's character was of tho best, tho Magistrate said he did not think either of tho accused had any criminal intent, and ho would dismiss tho charges. On the charges of insobriety each accnscd was convicted and discharged.