PISTOL IN QUARREL

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1931, Page 2

PISTOL IN QUARREL

YOUNG MAN WITH AUTOMATIC. FINE OF £25 IMPOSED. PALMERSTON NORTH. June 20. Noticing a young man with an automatic pistol j.n his hand quarrelling with a man in Ashley Street in the early hours of Friday morning, a passerby notified the po.iee, and the two men were apprehended. As a sequel Arthur William Smythe of Palmerston North, aged 29 years, was charged with being in possession of an unlawful weapon in a public place, and was lined £25, in delault one month’s imprisonment. The other man, who was jointly charged with Smythe with fighting in a public place, pleaded not guilty, and was convicted and discharged. Smythe pleaded guilty to both charges. Senior-Sergeant Whitshouse explained that the two men had been fighting in Ashley Street shortly after midnight. Smythe. he said, had a fullyloaded automatic pistol in his possession, tile weapon having five cartridges in the magazine, while the safety catch had been I‘eleascd. ‘‘The trigger had onl.V to be pressed fdi 1 the pistdi to open lire,” said tllo sehiof-sergeant. “it is a vfery serious offence to carry an automatic pistol, for this particular firearm is unlawful,” No tim ( . h'HM allowed to pay the fine,