A "SALVAGED” MAGNETO.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2301, 12 July 1921, Page 2

A "SALVAGED” MAGNETO.

At the Palmerston S.M. Corn’ll yesterday, before Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., James McLeod (Mr Gardner), of Waverley, stood charged with the theft of a magneto, valued at £ls, the property of Harold Osborne, of Foxton.

Detective-Sergeant Quirke explained that complainant had been driving his car between Makowhai and Saudon on Saturday, June 4th, when it caught fire, and had to bo abandoned on the roadside. On the following Wednesday Mr Osborne had proceeded to the scene to reclaim the machinery, and discovered that the magneto and other parts and tools had been removed. It was alleged that accused had taken the magneto and kept it in his possession for nine days without informing anyone of the fact, and no'| until Constable Fitzgibbon made enquiries of accused did he admit that the magneto was in his possession. Harold Osborne, carrier, of Foxton, deposed that when he returned to the scene of the accident he found the magneto and other parts missing. He informed the police of the fact. He had been informed by a small boy that a party in a red car had stopped, and one of the members removed the magneto. The one produced belonged to his ear. Constable Fitzgibbon stated that on June 14th ho interviewed the accused at his garage at Waverley, and recovered the magneto from him. Accused also made a statement, which ho signed. He made no demur in banding the machine over) but. had not- previously approached witness in the matter. Accused had always borne a good reputation previously.

Keith McCabe, a school boy, nine years of age, living at Makowhai, said that ho remembered playing with bis -sisters near the burnt car. A party of four men driving in the direction of Sanson stopped, and all the men got out and examined l lie machinery. One of them remarked to another: “It would be a cheap magneto for you if these kids weren’t here.” He saw one of the men put something into their own car, after being told to run away "if he did not want his head chopped off.”

Accused, who pleaded not guilty, and elected to be tried summarily, said that ho thought ho recognised the’abandoned machine as ono from Bulls which lie had repaired, and removed the magneto with a view to making enquiries at. that place regarding it. Owing to the rough weather and other arrangements, he had not been able to do so.

Evidence was also given by A iliiam Petrie, llaxmillcv, of Foxton, to I lie effect that a parly, including witness and accused, was returning (o Waverley on the date mentioned. At witness' suggest uni, they .pulled up and examined the car. Witness brother thought that the car belonged to complainant, and accused was of the opinion that it belonged to Bulls. Accused took the magneto, and said that, he did so to avoid it being stolen, as he intended to negotiate for the remainder of the machinery.

Defending counsel submitted that, lhe inleuliou of (he accused had been honest, hut His Worship could not agree with this view. Accused "was convicted and lined £2O. with costs totalling 10s. Two months was allowed in which to moot the line.