LOADED REVOLVER

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 582, 7 February 1929, Page 1

LOADED REVOLVER

“BARGAIN” COSTS MAN ANOTHER £5

OWNER “WELL KNOWN”

When Roland George Collins bought a serviceable revolver from a stranger for five shillings, he doubtless thought he had secured a bargain. When he pays a five-pound fine into the Magistrate Court's Office he may change his opinion. Collins, aged 35, appeared for sentence at the Police Court this morning, having been convicted on a charge of being found in unlawful possession of a 34-calibre revolver and 10 rounds of ammunition. A further charge of procuring possession of the weapon while not having a permit was not pressed by the police. “We found this revolver fully loaded locked in Collins’s bedroom,” said Chief-Detective Hammond. “He lias been in trouble before and while the police were going through his effects to see that he j>vas behaving himself they found the gun.” Mr. Hammond reminded the Court that Collins was liable to a fine of £IOO or three months’ imprisonment. "Collins says he bought the revolver about Christmas time,” he concluded. “He claims to have given a stranger 5s for it.” Collins asked for the imposition of a fine, complaining that fie had already spent a week in gaol. *‘l think I can go back to my work.” he said, “and though I have no money now. I can raise sufficient to pay a fine in a week.” In reply to Mr. Hammond's question as to where he was working Collinsaid that he was travelling for a man in Newmarket. Mr. Hammond: Canvassing? Collins-; A rather elevated sort of canvassing, calling on business people, and so on. Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M.. fined Collins £5, in default one month’s imprisonment. He was given a week to pay on condition that he reported t*» the police each day until the amount was paid in. “He is well known here. We shall have no difficulty in finding him,” com merited the chief-detective. The revolver was confiscated.