BOMB ON SHIP

Hokitika Guardian, 18 August 1932, Page 5

BOMB ON SHIP

MOITNCER’S TRIAL

ENTERS PLEA OF NOT GUILTY.

(Per Press Association— Copyright.)

CHRISTCHURCH, August 17.

The trial opened in the Supreme Court this afternoon of George Thomas Monucer, aged 37, a native of England, on a charge that, on August 5, atlLyttelton, with intent to do bodily harm to Albert Baldwin, Anderson* he put an explosive substance on the steamship Tecs. ' Mouncer pleaded not guilty;

The Crown Prosecutor stated that in February, 1930, accused was mate of the Tees, Captain Dowell was master, and Anderson was second mate. The accused was discharged and Anderson succeeded him. On August 5, Captain Anderson found on the ship a small, parcel, addressed to him, which contained a bomb.; Had, the bomb exr piloded, it would undoubtedly have done bodily harm to Anderson.

The Crown. Prosecutor read two statements made by the. accused, in one of- which the accused made certain admissions.; 1 1

Albert Baldwin Anderson, master of the Tees, gave evidence, that he had never-had trouble with-accused. -When the ship come to Lyttelton, the accused regularly came" on’ board, ..When witness found the parcel on tbo doorstep of his room, he opened it, . He found that it contained the tin was a piece .of .gelignite. - gdyeral experts give evidence on the power- of gelignite. All agreed that if the bomb had fired, it would inevitably have : done bodily harm to Anderson, and perhaps Killed him. i

It' was also stated by, witnesses that even if the spring l ? ha<j been, strong enough to fire the percussion cap; it might not have caused the gelignite to explode. ' ; 1