DENIED HE WAS THE MAN

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 22, 10 February 1937, Page 5

DENIED HE WAS THE MAN

"But It's Only My Wor3 Against Inspector's" MAORI'S PLEA IN COURT! A minor mix-up, with talk Of "ra!** taken identities," occurred in th# Hastings Magistrate 's Court tMs morn« ing when, before Mr J. Miller, S.M^ Walter Mackay, a Hastings Mauri, was charged with riding a cycle without a! light. Mackay said that he wafcL not the man, as he was not in the vicinity of the place where the offence occurrca^ But, "as it's only my word against the inspector's," he said, "I might a# well plead guilty." The information was laid by Mr H. E. Semple, traffie officer for th# Main Highways Board. When the case was first called th# defendant said he might als well plead guilty, although he wasn't. "You're not ohliged to plead guilty if you're not," smilingly remarked Mr Miller. When the case resumed, Mr Sempl# said that the defendant was the man whom he stopped for riding a cycle without a light. "I'm quite satisfled he is the man," he declared. "He told me the light was stolen from him." "I thought you were going to plead mistaken identity," said the Magin trate to Mackay. "That'S what I mean," replied th# defendant. "I was certain 'that if I came here this morning the inspector would see I was not the man, *but when I came into Court the inspector stopped me and spoke to me by name, so you can see how useless it is. "My bike has an electrie light at* > tached to it, and the bike shop will swear that I've always had a light on my bike," he continued. "1 was in town, near Lahood's, at the time when tho inspector says he stopped me. I live in Hastings, and I'm certain I wasn't there at the time." Mr Semple said that tbe man had given his address as "care of J3oylands, Napier." Defendant admitted that this wa# the address of a place where he had been working before the offence. "Who's likely to give your nam# and address?" asked Mr Miller. "I don't know. If I knew it would make things a lot easier," replied ihe defendant. "It's only my word against the inspector's," he continued when the Magistrate asked him if he •iould bring any witnesses to prove where he was at the time of th# offence. "Well, do you want to tak# thia any further?" asked His Worship. "No," replied defendant. He was fined 15/-, costs 10/-. On similar charges MaTy Barfcfcstt and Eaymond Horton were #ach fined 15/- with costs 10/-. Lloyd Landsdowne was charged . with . driving a motor-vehicle while not holL ing a driver 's licence, on the informa* tion of Mr G. E. Beauchamp. Defendant wxote admitting the offence, but (said he had since 'obtained a licence^ A fine of £1 10/-, costs 12/-, was hau posed.