Mad Mac McGregor's Model Aeroplane Stolen

[Dave Homewood]

Here is an interesting old story from the New Zealand Herald dated the 5th of June 1936:

MODEL AEROPLANE

CHARGE OF THEFT

STORY TO AIRMAN'S WIDOW

MECHANIC FOR TRIAL

[by TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] PALMERSTON NORTH, Thursday

Allegations that accused had represented himself as an American wrestler and a cousin of Colonel Roscoe Turner, the famous American aviator, were made when Charles Owens, aged 35, an American mechanic, appeared in the Magistrate's Court to-day, charged with stealing a model aeroplane, valued at £30, the property of Mrs. McGregor, widow of Squadron-Leader M. C. McGregor.

Mrs. McGregor gave evidence that accused had called at her house and asked if she had received his telegram. Getting an answer in the negative, he introduced himself as "Johnny Owens," saying he was an American wrestler and a cousin of Roscoe Turner. He said he was representing the American Wrestling Association, which intended to stage a wrestling bout for the joint benefit of Mrs. McGregor and Mrs. Fraser, the widow of the parachutist, Mr. "Scotty" Fraser, who was killed recently.

Request for Photograph
He said he was "Dr. Owens from Knickerbocker Hospital," in America. Witness referred accused to the New Zealand Aero Club, but he said he could not do business with it as he would break his contract. At accused's request she gave him written authority to pay half the proceeds to Mrs. Fraser.

Accused saw a photograph of Squadron-Leader McGregor and asked for it, saying he would like to show it to Roscoe Turner. Witness refused, but told him to call back later for a copy. This accused did, stating he had made arrangements to have an enlargement taken, and 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 of the photograph, on the definite understanding that he should return the model in half an hour. Witness did not see accused again.

Statement by Accused
Henry Campbell Walker, who was McGregor's companion in the Centenary air race, said in consequence of what Mrs. McGregor told him he made inquiries. Eventually he located accused, got back the model, and reported the matter to the police.

A constable gave evidence that accused made a statement that he had been drinking and did not know what had happened. He said he had no intention of stealing the model. Accused pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial.

[Dave Homewood]

From the NEW ZEALAND HERALD, 23 JULY 1936:

CHARGE OF THEFT

MODEL OF AEROPLANE

JUDGE DIRECTS ACQUITTAL

"CASE OF SUSPICION ONLY"

[BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS association] PALMERSTON NORTH. Wednesday

Directed by Mr. Justice Blair at the conclusion of the Crown's case to return a verdict of not guilty, the jury hearing the charge of theft against John Edward Owens, an American, aged 41, in the Supreme Court to-day, acted accordingly. Accused had been charged with stealing at Palmerston North a model aeroplane valued at £30, the property of Mrs. Isobel Dora McGregor.

The chief witness, Mrs. McGregor, the widow of Squadron-Leader M. C. McGregor, stated that accused called at her house and said he was "Mr. Owens, of the Knickerbocker Hospital," and a cousin of Captain Roscoe Turner, the American aviator. He further represented that he was connected with the American wrestlers at present in New Zealand, and said they were prepared to stage a benefit bout for her and Mrs. Fraser, widow of "Scotty" Fraser, the parachutist. He asked for photographs of her husband, and she arranged to get copies from a friend.Accused was to return and collect them.

Accused returned at 10 o'clock, and said he could not wait. He asked if he could take away for the purpose of obtaining a photograph a model of a D.H. 86 airliner. She consented, accused promising to return it later that morning. The model was returned by H. C. Walker, who had been co-pilot with her husband in the Melbourne Centenary air race.

"Had Been Drinking"
Henry Campbell Walker, aviation officer for an oil company, told the Court that after seeing Mrs. McGregor he started off for Milson aerodrome, and on the way he met accused. He asked him where he had obtained the model aeroplane in his possession, and accused replied that his sister had made it, whereupon witness told Owens that he knew all about the matter and asked that the model be handed over. Owens had been drinking, and had half a bottle of whisky with him, but he was not drunk.

Constable G. R. Chapman said that in a statement accused said he arrived in New Zealand in 1928 as a stowaway. He admitted having gone to Mrs. McGregor's place, but claimed that he had been so drunk that he did not remember what happened inside the house; but he remembered coming outside with the model aeroplane and a photograph in his possession.

This concluded the case for the Crown, whereupon His Honor adjourned the Court for a short interval so that he could confer with counsel.

Direction to Jury
When the Court resumed His Honor told the jury that when the Judge came to the conclusion that a case was only one of suspicion, and in his opinion was not sufficient to go to the jury, it was his duty so to direct the jury.

"So far as this case is concerned," His Honor proceeded, "it is at the most a case of suspicion. There are circumstances about it which are distinctly in accused's favour. We cannot look at matters which are not in evidence. In this case, it seems, it is my duty to direct you that there is not sufficient evidence to call upon the defence to answer the charge. I ask you to take my direction. I have discussed the matter with counsel, and the Crown Prosecutor agrees with me that this course is the proper one."

[ZacYates]

Dare I ask what happened to said model? Did Mrs McGregor donate/bequeath it to a museum or other organisation?