FINED FOR MISCHIEF

Hokitika Guardian, 5 April 1927, Page 3

FINED FOR MISCHIEF

ELFEJ ACTx FT,S’ PR AXK

AUCKLAND, April I. The football season is here. Five bluejackets were playing a game in Queen street last night with a cushion taken from a motor-car. As a sequel to this one of'tlie Jack Tars was arrested on a charge of steaVing the cushion, valued at 2s Bd, the property of James Mitchell Paul. The accused was Harry Ilollier, a stoker of the Philomel, ami was represented hv Mr Tong. lie pleaded not

guilty. Paul said that lie left his car parked in Queen street abot'V 10 o’clock last night. On returning lie noticed that the controls had been interfered with, and when asked by a police sergeant whether lie had missed anything from the car he discovered that a cushion laid been taken.

George Metcalf, the next witness, saw five sailors near the car. One was trying to crank the engine, while another bluejacket was inside the car. They were unable to start the engine. One sailor then took the cushion out and started playing football with it in Queen street. Witness informed a policeman, who found the accused with the cushion in his possession. All the snilormen were under the influence of liquor at the time. When Constable Smith came on the scene he said he saw the five sailors having a game of football with a cushion. When they were observed Hollier picked the cushion up and walked away. He at first said lie found the cushion, hut later admitted having taken it from the car. The five men were under the influence of drink.

Mr Hunt; I’m going to reduce the charge to one of mischief. I don’t want to convict the accused for theft. He’s only a young chap, but 011 the charge of mischief lie will be fined 00s. He can pay 10s and can collect 10s each from the other four men who were with him. The whole thing was larrikinism and nothing more. A naval officer present in the Court informed the Magistrate that Hollier had a- very good record in the Navy.