“PROTECTION”

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20732, 16 February 1939, Page 6

“PROTECTION”

MONEY DEMANDED THREAT TO DESTROY PREMISES INSTRUCTIONS IN LETTER (By Teleferapn.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Wednesday Four charges of demanding money with menaces, and two of causing to he received by W. R. Kenner letters threatening to burn a building, were preferred against Douglas Maxwell 27), labourer, in the Police Court today. William Richard Kenner, governingdirector of Kenner's, Limited, home furnishers, said that on January 12 he received a type-written letter marked “personal” and bearing a Petone postmark. “There are anticapitalistic racketeers operating in New Zealand and you are marked down to suffer material loss,” witness read from the letter. “This means they may burn down your house or destroy your bach, which would be disastrous. The horror of an explosion in the middle of the night would not benefit nerves of iron.” Witness read a passage in which I lie writer offered him immunity from all harm at a cost to witness of only £2OO. Witness was called upon to advertise his decision in the evening paper personal column, using the noin-de-plume “K.K.” This letter was signed “Anti-capitalist.” £2OO Cash Wanted After communicating with the police witness advertised, “I have no option. What are your conditions? K.K. - ’ Another letter was received on January 19 stating that he had acted wisely and on payment of £2OO cash, he would receive protection from anti-capitalistic racketeers.

Witness then advertised, “What are your arrangements?” A third letter was received on January 27 asking him to have the money in his possession and to carry it with him during the following Tuesday. “At the first sign of your co-operation with the police the deal is off and the consequences are on your own head,” the letter stated. “You will be observed all day Tuesday, so play safe.” Detectives in Car All the communications had been regarded seriously and by this time he was thoroughly alarmed, witness said. There were further communications by telephone, and a letter received on February G, in the course of which there was the paragraph, “You will appreciate tiie seriousness of the terrible fire last week and unless you wish to suffer a similar experience, you know what to do.” Witness was instructed to go to a telephone box and look in the directory under the letter lv for further instructions. With two detectives concealed in his car he carried out instructions. In the box he read, “Park your car on the corner two streets down on the left. Walk to the box and back. Leave the letter on the front seat of the car.” He acted as directed and when he returned to the car he saw accused in the custody of detectives. At the Central Police Station accused said he wanted to be quite frank and stated that he alone had been responsible for the typing and posting of the letters to Mr Kenner, said acting-Detective Smith. He told the police where to find the typewriter. He volunteered a statement, but later discontinued it on the advice of a solicitor.

Accused pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. Bail of £2OO, with two £IOO sureties, was allowed.