NORMAL SCHOOL FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 167, 18 July 1927, Page 15

NORMAL SCHOOL FIRE.

THREE BOYS ON TRIAL.

OTHER ARSON CHARGES BROUGHT. FALSE ALARMS OF FIRE GIVEN. J The three youths who were arrested in connection with the fire that badly damaged the Normal School on Sunday afternoon, July 3, and who subsequently admitted having committed a number of other offences, appeared at the Police Court this afternoon, before Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., and Mrs. X. E. Ferner.

Owing to the fact that the charges can only be proceeded with indictably, the trio was remanded at Saturday's session of I the Children's Court until this afternoon.

Two of the accused are 14 years of age, and the other is 15. All were each; charged with having given six false alarms to the City Fire Brigade. The following other charges were also brought against them: Wilfully setting fire to the Normal School, wilfully setting fire to packing cases on the premises of Smith and Smith; the premises of Marks, Morrin, and Jones, Ltd.; a dwelling in Grey Street belonging to the Solvation Army; Kennerlev's storehouse in Power House Lane; the premises of the acetone welding works of T. C. Grant, in Rutland Street; two sheds in Sturdee Street, owned by the City Council; the 6hop of John Hook, Great North Road, Avondale; and the premises of Harrison and Gash in Manukau Road. One of the accused was also charged with stealing bicycles. The three were further charged with breaking and entering the shop of Amos Firth, Avondale, the acetone welding works of T. C. Grant, and the counting house of John Kennerley and Sons.

Detective Sergeant T. Kelly is prosecuting. Seventeen witnesses arc to give evidence for the prosecution.

(Proceeding.)