SPARK-PLUG MYSTERY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 6, 22 January 1937, Page 6

SPARK-PLUG MYSTERY

"Victim" Admits Gnilt to Police

"JOKE" ENDS IN COURT

In September a stir was caused in Stratford because of a report made to the police by Alfred James Dick that he had found a sparking plug suspended in the petrol tank o.f a truck belonging to Boon Bros., by whom he was empioyed, and so connected to the engine th.at any attempt to start it would have meant that the fumes in the tank would have been ignited and caused an explosion. After exhaustive inquiries the police reached the conclusion that Dick himself was implicated. and at the Stratford Court he pleaded guilty . to a charge that in a written statement made to the police Dick alleged contrary to fact and without a genuine belief in his stateinent, that a crime had been committed, Dick was ordered to come up for sentence within one year if called upon. Suppression of name was refused and he was ordered to pay costs 10/-. Messrs. W. McInnes and A. R. Davis were the iustices. The denouement came on November 17 when Detective Kearney saw Dick and said he had reason to believe that Dick knew more of the matter. than he had admitted. Dick was asked to give a sample of his hand writing and the sample was the same as the writing on the note Dick had received. He then admitted that he was responsible for the whole affair. He drew the nails from the back of the shed to make it appear that someone fronji outside had interferred with the truck. He said he did not do it for publicity but could not give any reason for his aetion. Through Dick's act Detective Kearney and ConstaTjle Hughes were empioyed f.or three days on useless work when they could have been working on other matters that were important. When the report was first received the matter seemed an important one. The whole thing arose from the stupid idea of a young fellow w.bo could give no reason for his action.