“COME INSIDE”

Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1929, Page 2

“COME INSIDE”

INTRUDER’S WELCOME TO CONSTABLE. AUCKLAND, Sept. 16. “I’m the manager. Come inside and I’ll show you through!” was the cheery welcome given by a burglar in a city counting-house on being surprised by the arrival of a constable. “What are you doing,” the constable had asked, and he was in turn surprised at the cool reply, A moment later the man rushed past the police officer, but on the top of a gate he was caught, and a strenuous struggle began. Patrick 'Byrne, thirty-five, a fireman, was charged at the Police Court this morning, before F. K. Hunt, S.M., with being the. man condprued. The principal charge was that of breaking and entering by night the counting-house of Parkinson and Co., monumental masons, Victoria Street. Two summary charges were that acpused had resisted a constable m die execution of his duty, and that lie had damaged a helmet valued at 8s fid. The Chief-Detective said Byrne had been “in every gaol in New Zealand.” Byrne pleaded guilty to the charge of resisting the police, and was sentenced to a month’s imprisonment. On the charge of damaging the 1 elmet he was convicted. He pleaded not guilty to the major charge, and was committed for trial at the Supreme Court.