CHARGES AGAINST ACTOR

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 57, 4 September 1926, Page 19

CHARGES AGAINST ACTOR

"SHOULD NEVEK HAVE BEEN

BROUGHT."

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, 3rd September.

Described.by the police as a member of, the Williamson Comic Opera Company at present appearing in Auckland, James W. Hilford was before the Magistrate 's Court this morning on two charges-under.the Arms Act. He was charged . with bringing two shotguns into New Zealand without having first obtained permits, and pleaded not guilty. >..!.■" Constable Doel, of the arms office at the Police Station, Auckland, said that the defendant arrived from Sydney by the Ulimaroa at Wellington. Immediately on. arrival there, he declared the two shotguns to the Customs officers. He then came to Auckland, and on opening up his luggage took both guns down and deposited them with the Customs here. Mr. Hunt: "Well, what's wrong with that? What has this man done? He arrives at Wellington and declares two guns.which he places with the Customs here. The charges should never have been ' brought. Why were they brought?" Constable Doel: "That has nothing to do with me, sir.?* Senior-Sergeant Edwards: "Defendant is charged on instructions from our superior officers." Mr. Hunt: "It's a big farce." Without hearing anything further, the Magistrate turned to defendant and said: "You can go away now. The charges are dismissed."