A BIG SMASH.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 221, 17 September 1919, Page 9

A BIG SMASH.

YOUTH'S MOSTLY FALL. The smashing of two large plate-glass windows in Queen Street shops on the evening of August 22 was the subject I at charges against a youth, James , Walter Cowley that he broke a plateglass window of 'Whitcombe and Tombs' shop, and that he broke a plate-glass window of the Globe Sewing Machine Co. Evidence was led that about 7 p.m. on the date in question a shopkeeper, i whose place of business ie next to the Giobe Co.'3 shop, heard a crash. . One witness, Jacob Zimmer. said he ran out of his chop, and saw the window of the Machine Co. broken, and a young man was running away. He chased the man, and caught him in Durham Street. It was accused, who 'first denied breaking the window, but later he admitted it, and said he would make good the damage at £1 a week. This was corroborated by other witnesses, who came on the scene as Cowley was chased and caught. No evidence was offered respecting the breaking of Whitcombe and Tombs' window. Cowley, a lad of 20 years (for whom Mr. Dickson appeared), .-aid that he had had several drinks with a friend, and being unaccustomed to drink he was affected by it. Jle then. went along . Queen Street, and as be was passing Whitcombe and Tombs' he slipped, and in trying to save himself from a fall he accidentally swung a bottle of ale, which was in one of his coat pockets, against the window, breaking the latter. He denied absolutely, however, that he broke the window of the Globe Machine Co., though he admitted having given a wrong address when he was first interviewed on the matter. His "Worship stated that be bad 110 doubt that Cowley had accidentally broke both windows, and lie felt that it was becau-e of the drink lie had taken. Accused would be convicted, and put on probation for 12 months, with conditions that be abstain from the use of alcoholic liquor, that his associates bo the subject o( special supervision, and that he pay £20 towards the replacement of thei window in amounts approved by the Probation Officer. The charge respecting ■\Vhitcombe and Tombs' window, on which 110 evidence was offered, wasi dismissed.