Carrying Firearms.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 December 1922, Page 1

Carrying Firearms.

.MAGISTRATE’S EMPHATIC WARNING.

AUCKLAND. Ibo 1!). The defence put up in the Police Court this morning that the defendant, who was charged with bringing a firearm into New Zealand without a permit carried the weapon for self-protcc-tiosi proved useless, the Magistrate (Mr I’nynton) stating that the Court would afford people protection a,lid issuing a stern warning that any individual found in unlawful [xissessiou of a firearm in future would incur the full penalty a fine of ClflO or three mouths’ imprisonment. Tho man charged in this instance', was William Alfred Aubrey Morris, a young seaman belonging to the steamer Kauri, who had been found with a revolver in his possession. Mi- Boynton said the matter could not he overlooked. The use of revolvers was a very serious matter. Just now wo were affected by a labour disturbance, one side against the other, and tho u.-e of revolvers might lead to ti massacre. 'File re had lately been reports of a in assn ere of minors in America, the shooting of a dozen slieril!' officers thcra. and the slim,ting of the President of Poland, whilst the wish, of tlic majority of Ireland was overthrown by a few people- with firearms, and if tho carrying of revolvers was permitted here, we would have the same state of things. In conclusion, Mr Po.vnton said: “I cannot overlook this. The defendant is lined £lO and the revolver declared confiscated. 1 am issuing a warning now that if there is any more of t ins revolver business during this labour trouble, the' full limit of punishment will he imposed—a fine of Cl!K> or three, months’ imprisonment- - there lore others had better not follow the u fondant’s example. .