MUTILATING NEWSPAPER IN LIBRARY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 104, 27 January 1920, Page 8

MUTILATING NEWSPAPER IN LIBRARY

LABOUR CANDIDATE FINED £5.

By Tekgraph-Sjccial Correspondent.

Palmerston North, January 26. An interesting by-law, case 'was heard before Mr. J. L. Stout, S.M., at Palmerston North to-day, when Aloses Ayrion, who stood as a Labour candidate at the-recent elections, was charged with having mutilated a newspaper-in the Palmerston North Public Library. Mr. F. H. Cooke appeared- for the Borough Council, and Mri A. 11. Mongley for the defendant. .Evidence was led to show that on December i Ayrton ivas seen reading a copy of the "Grey River Argus," and was also seen to cut a portion out of it. Ayrton, who 6iiid lie was a lecturer in economics, denied having cut the paper, and sought to set up an alibi. lie admitted having stated to a representative of the local newspaper, which published the 'statement, that he had no recollection of having mutilated the paper; but She had not declared that he hud not done so.

In reviewing, the evidences, the Magistrate said that there could he very little doubt ns to the defendant's having mutilated tho paper. Defendant's evidence as to the alibi was unsatisfactory, and he called no witnesses in support of his statement. His Worship considered, tjliat there was quite sufficient evidence to warrant a conviction. The offence was 6erious of its kind, and was on all fours with the case" in which a townsman had been fined .for cutting flowers in the Square. Both offenders were semi-public men who should have known better, and should have set a better example to the public generally. His Worship convicted Ayrton nnd fined him the maxiswm amount (.£5), with costs (.£2 lis.).