Set Fire to Horse Float

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 35, 11 February 1937, Page 2

Set Fire to Horse Float

FORMER DRIVER GIVEN GAOL (Special to “Times”) HASTINGS, Feb. 30. * ‘ The accused has had probation before and failed to observe the terms of the order. This ca*e is really a very serious matter,” said the Magistrate, Mr J. Miller, at the Hastings Court this morning in imposing sentence of three months ’ imprisonment on William Murray, aged 27, who appeared on re* tnand, charged with committing mischief by wilfully setting fire to a horse float, the property 0 f McCormick’s, Ltd., thereby causing damage to the extent' ’of £47. 44 The accused’s action might easily have caused very extensive damage,” continued the Magistrate. 44 He has no chance of paying the damage, and I don’t feel inclined to extend probation. I’m afraid it will have to be a term of imprisonment. The offence is not really iniachiof; it’s arson,, and that is an indictable offence. 7 * Aocusod pleaded guilty. Mr C. Duff appeared for the defence. Evidence of the occurrence of the fire was given by Detective-Sergeant L. B. J. Re veil, who said that he interviewed accusea, who had previously been employed by McCormick's Ltd. Tho accused admitted the charge, and said he acted on impulse, but that he was drunk at the time. On the morning of tho offence the accused had approached Mr MeCoriniek for a loan and had been refused, and this had possibly peeved him, “It is difficult to understand,” said Mr Duff. The accused had worked driving the float for AlcCormick’s. The accused’s father said he felt the stress of driving the float. After he finished, he started to drink, and on the morning of the offence he was under the in- i fluence of liquor. He was a good worker. “He can’t give any reasonable explanation for the offence,” said Mr Duff. “It must either have been drink, o* it’s mental,” commented the Magistrate. 4 ‘lt was Buch a foolish thing to do with witnesses present.” Graham McCormick said the accused had been a good worker and had been most trustworthy. He did not drink while he was in witness’s employ. Accused seemed io be sober when he saw him in the morning. 44 It's a most extraordinary thing to me,” he commented. 11 He walked out without a row, and then he did this.” “He is a danger,” said the Afagis* Irate. 44 1 s this likely to happen again? I think this case should stand down. He might be mental.” Mr Duff suggested that the accused take out a prohibition order. 44 It wants something stricter than that, I think,” said Air Aliller, in sentencing the accused to throe months’ imprisonment.' | Cabinet hae decided to increase the (number of long service officers 44 in the 'light of the new necessity” and speed up the promotion of young officers showing ability, as there are too many elderly officers, who will be ruthlessly 4 4 axed.” Tho decree refers to the need for active and constant vigilance on the frontier, and adds: “The present and future needs of the Empire have decidedly altered army requirements.”