MISSING MOTOR-BIKE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 40, 10 May 1927, Page 14

MISSING MOTOR-BIKE

LAD CHARGED WITH THEFT CASE ADJOURNED When Carlton Vickers Burton told the police that his motor-bicycle was missing, he had no complaints about the cylinders of the machine. They were in perfect order, so much so in fact that the missing “bike” had carried a youth named John William Ferguson as far as Horahora without any mechanical trouble. Burton, who leaves for Canada today by the Aorangi, had advertised his machine for sale and after a trial Ferguson agreed to buy the bicycle, and Asked if he might borrow it to go to Drury to get the necessary £6O from Ills uncle. Burton agreed, but as there was no Aign of either Ferguson or the machine by the next morning he went along to the police about it. Mr. Allan Moody explained to the court this morning, when • Ferguson, who was arrested at Hamilton, appeared on a charge of stealing the bicycle, that the lad, who is not yet 17, found that his uncle was away and so foolishly decided to ride on to Horahora to try to get the money from his brother. He had given the name and address | of another lad named Bitrton to Bur ton, it was said; Barton having tok* Ferguson to let him know at any time if he saw a good machine. “We are quite prepared to cancel the contract of sale,” said Mr. Moody. “Well, that’s magnanimous of you, isn’t it?” replied Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., with a suggestion of sarcasm. At the request of counsel, who proposes to call the lad Barton to verify this part of the defence, the case was adjourned till to-morrow morning.