POSED AS WRESTLER

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19903, 4 June 1936, Page 8

POSED AS WRESTLER

STRANGE COURT STORY

MODEL AIROPLANE LENT. CHARGE OF THEFT FOLLOWS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) PALMERSTON NORTH, Thursday. Allegations that accused had represented himself as an American wrest—ler, cousin of Colonel Roscoe Turner. famous American aviator. were made when Charles Owens‘ (35). an American mechanic. appeared in the Magistrate's Court to-day charged with stealing a model aeroplane valued at £3O, the property of Mrs .\lcGregor, widow of Squadron~Leader .\l. C. McGregor, Mrs .\lct‘d‘egor gave evidence that the accused called at her house and asked it‘ she had received his telegram. Getting a negative answer, he intro—duced himself as John Owens, saying he was an American wrestler, cousin of Colonel Rascoe Turner. and was re—presenting the American \\‘restling ASsociation. lle said he intended to stage a wrestlng bout for the joint hencllt. of Mrs )[cGresor and Mrs Fraser, widow of the parachutist. “Scour” Fraser. He also said he was Dr. Owens, from the Knicker—bocker Hospital in America. \\‘itness referred accused to the New Zealand Aero Club but he said he could not do business with them as it would break his contract. At the accuSEd‘s request she gave him written authority to pay half the proceeds to Mrs Fraser. Loan of Photograph. Accused saw a photograph of Squadron—Leader. .\chreg’or and asked for it, 5311115 he would like to show it to Col—onel Roscoe Turner. \\'itness refused but told him to call back later for a copy. This the accused did. stating he had made arrangements to have an enlargement taken, so he was allowed to take the photograph. Accused saw a model aeroplane in the house and after a great deal of persuasion witness permitted him to take it as a background for the enlargement on the definite understand—ing that he would return the model in half—an-hcur. \V‘itness did not see the accused Again. Henry Campbell \Valker, who was .\{r McGregor's companion in the Gentenary Air Race. gave evidence that in consequence of what Mrs McGregor told him he made inquiries and even—tually located the accused and got back the model. He reported the mat—ter to the police. A constable gave evidence that the accused made a statement that he had been drinking and did not know what happened. He had no intention of stealing the model. l-le pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial.