CYCLE THEFT CHARGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 47, 18 May 1927, Page 3

CYCLE THEFT CHARGE

MAGISTRATE’S ADVICE CASE DISMISSED you want to buy a bike, save up yaur money, and don’t tell lies about your uncle in the country! ,f John William Ferguson, after a recent adventure in the purchase of a motor-cycle, will probably take to heart this piece of straight-from-the-shoulder advice from Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M. He appeared in the Police Court this morning after a nine days’ remand, charged with stealing the bicycle, which the owner, Carlton dickers Burton, who has since departed to Canada, valued at £49. The evidence went to show that Ferguson had replied to Burton’s advertisement and after agreeing to buy h, asked the owner’s permission to cide it to Drury to get the money from his uncle. He was arrested some days later In Hamilton and brought hack to Auckland. Mr. Allan Moody previously had told the court that the lad, finding his uncle had moved from Drury, had ridden to Horahora to see his brother. He had no intention of stealing the machine. The case was adjourned until to-day to enable the defence to c all another witness. I reiterate that the evidence does ? ot Justify the charge of theft,” said ir. Moody when the lad reappeared o-dav. might have been guilty conver: *i° n , but I suggest that he uad a certain colour of right.” Counsel then read a letter from Ferguson’s previous employer, who said WaS a quiet anc * we H-behaved

He is very young, only 17,” said e magistrate, “and has borne a good t *r ac * er - The law gives me power vi *he charge, so I won’t conct him. Dismissed on payment of costs.”