THE CAR ESCAPADE.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 August 1918, Page 2

THE CAR ESCAPADE.

ACCUSED BEFORE THE COURT. T!ie young man William Holland Makin, alias William Merlinnon, was brought up on remand at Hawera "'ay, before Messrs. W. Cowern'and W. K. Wallace, Js.P., on a charge that <m July 1, at Hawera, he did steal a Dodge motor car, valued at £'l3s, the property oE Mr. Newton King, Stratford. James Hennry Ashton, manager of this machinery 'department at Mr. Newton icing's Stratford branch, deposed that he drove a Dodge car to the Winter Show at Hawera on July 3. He left the machine iu front of the show buildings at about 7.110 p.m. Shortly before 10 p.m. lie went to get the ear, but it was gone, and he was unable to find it in the town. Later the car was recovered in Wellington. No one had authority to dispose of it in any way. The car was valued at £435. To Mr. Ktheringtoiu When he left the car in the street there were no other cars in front of it. It was an easy car to start, being fitted with a self-starter. When the car was recovered it was in fair condition, but it had cost £3O to £35 to put it in its original good condition. George William Lawrence, salesman, for Magnus, Sanderson, Ltd., Wellington, deposed that ho saw accused in Wellington on July 0, when he brought a car to the garage for sale. Ho was accompanied by another man. Accused asked witness to have a look at the car, but as ho was very busy at the time, he told him to come in later on. Accused called again the same day at about 5 o'clock. Witness had a look at the car, and accused said that he wanted £325 for it. The other man was present at the time. Witness put on his valuation at £3OO nett. Accused said ho would take £3OO clear of commission, and not a penny less. The car was in the garage for a number of days. Accused called at the garage several times after that, and took the car out at different times. The last time was on July 10. On July 17, or thereabouts, the car was claimed by the police. To Mr. Etlierington: He did not see either accused or the other man after they had taken the car to the Wellington races, nor did he hear the other man called by name. When they brought the car to the garage something was said about storage, and that it was also for sale. The second day after the car was brought to the garage accused asked witness if lie had been able to sell it. Witness looked upon the transactions as a joint affair between accused and the other man. Constable Nuttall, Hawera, deposed that on July 27 lie arrested accused at 11 p.m. at the Central Hotel. Accused in tho presence of a witness put in a written statement, in which ho stated I that when ho took tho car away he did Iso for tho purpose of having a "joy" ride. Tho accused pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court, New Plymouth, for sentence. Counsel for accused (Mr. Etlierington), in making application for bail, said that accused was a returned soldier, and had served nearly four years at tho front.. He left with the main body, served with, the New Zealand Artillery, and was twice wounded. Ho returned to New Zealand in May, 1918, and was discharged on July 12, his discharge being endorsed "very good." Ho (counsel) understood that he had been recommended for the D.C.M. He also had three brothers on active service. His sister was serving as a nurse in Prance, and had been mentioned in despatches. Admitting that the offence in which accused had pleaded guilty was a serious one, and was very wrong indeed, counsel considered there was no criminal intention on the part of accused, but that it was more an escapade than anything else.

Bail was fixed at accused in "£IOO, and one surety of l£loo. Bail was forthcoming. *