“AN HILARIOUS JOKE.”
SEAMAN AND CHINAMAN. “It was nothing more than an hilarious joke,” was counsel’s description of an episode in Frederick street recently whicli ended in Frederick Olsen, a seaman belonging to the American ship Koko Head, being charged before Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday with stealing on the 12th inst. a bicycle belonging to Louis Lock, a Chinaman, whom ha was also alleged to have assaulted and used obscene language to. . Sub-Inspector Sheehan prosecuted, md Mr H. F, O’Leary appeared for accused, who pleaded not guilty to the charges of theft and assault, but guilty to the charge of using obscene language. Lock said , that on February 12th ho rode on a bicycle to his cousin’s house in Frederick street. He was in the place about five minutes, and while there he saw the accused take the bicycle out of the yard on to the footpath. He gave chase and demanded to know why accused, who had a friend with him, had taken the machine. -Hocused replied by using bad language md giving witness a severe pommelling. Witness’s cousin went for the nonce, and subsequently Sergeant Murphy captured Olsen as he was running away. Olsen said he did not want to steal the bicycle. Other evidence to support the charge was given by Louis Lock’s cousin. In reply to Mr O’Leary, this witness stated that he did not see Lock pick an a block of wood with which to strike Olsen. . . Sergeant Murphy said that on being arrested Olsen stated that he had intended to bring the bicycle back. When searched a pah-a-poo ticket was in accused's possession. Mr O’Leary said accused and his mate had had a few drinks before going to Frederick street, and the whole thing was nothing more than an hilarious ioke. Olsen, in the witness-box, said he picked up the bicycle and suggested that he and hia mate should have a “bit of a ride.” His mate told him to leave the machine alone, or they might get into trouble. At this juncture Louis Look appeared on the scene and packed up a piece of wood with which to strike witness. The bicycle Would have .been of no use to him and he did not take it into the street. Never before had he been charged with an olibnoe in a court. In answer to Sub-Inspector Sheehan, Olsen - admitted that he only had a sfiilling on him when arrested. Ho struck Lock in self-defence. Frederick Charles Dyson, accused s mate, denied that the bicycle was taken into the street. He was surprised to hear that Olsen had been charged with theft. His Worship discharged accused on the theft charge, saying that he did not think Olsen intended to steal the bicycle. However, tne assault on the Cnmaman was unwarranted, and for tnis accused would be fined £2. A similar penalty would be imposed on the third charge. Olsen was ordered to pay £1 us costs.
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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8357, 18 February 1913, Page 3
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497“AN HILARIOUS JOKE.” New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8357, 18 February 1913, Page 3
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