SEAMEN'S PRANK

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 31, 6 February 1935, Page 18

SEAMEN'S PRANK

PUSHING A CAR

From what the witnesses say-it appears to have been just a prank," said Sub-Inspector C. E. Roach in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, in reference to the actions of four seamen off the Akaroa, Albert Smith, aged 34, Cornelius Patrick Murphy, aged 31* William Hodges, aged 26, and Kichard Murphy, aged 28, who were charged with unlawfully converting to their own use a car valued at £75 the property of Marion D. Hughes' They pleaded not guilty, but were, convicted and discharged by Mr.\E. Page S.M. The Magistrate said he thought that,the action was more a prank than a serious attempt to remove the car and that the men had been sufficiently punished for it by being kept in custody. ■ Three taxi drivers gave - evidence that at. 12.5 aon. yesterday they saw three of ; the accused pushing a car down Farish Street while the fourth sat in it and, steered it. They pushed it into Bond Street and then back into Farish Street, where they left it. They did not , have . the engine I running. : ' , .' Constable G. Cleverley said that when he questioned \ the men they denied having, any knowledge of the car, but two of the taxi drivers identified them. They were under the influence of liquor. . . "We know nothing at all about it," said one of the accused. That was all they had. to: say. . "I think there can be little doubt that these-were the. men; who were interfering with the car," said Mr. Page. ■ "Was it skylarking or do you suggest it was an attempt to steal the car?" the Magistrate asked, and the sub-i inspector replied that it appeared to be a prank. .