FALSE ALARMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 237, 7 October 1933, Page 12

FALSE ALARMS.

WELLINGTON FIRES.

THREE YOUTHS CHARGED.

ONE SENT TO BORSTAL. (By Telegraph.—rress Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. Police investigations into an unusually large number of false fire alarms during past months resulted in the appearanco of three youths before 111'. E. Page, S.M., to-day.

William Charles Heilwood pleaded guilty to 30 charges, and George Thomas Pawson and Harvey Asliworth each pleaded guilty to five charges. The offences of the two lastnamed were committed in company with Heilwood, who was jointly charged with them. Ashworth pleaded guilty to a further two charges.

The police said 71 false alarms were received in five months, the amount of time occupied by brigades in attending false alarms was 3/ hours, and 309 men attended calls, in addition to which every other fireman at the station which received an alarm was brought on duty. In all 139 engines were called out, and the average cost of turnouts was £5. In one case an alarm was given from the centre of Lambton Quay, and no less " than four engines turned out, and other engines had to be brought in from suburban stations to replace them.

The fact was stressed that brigades must respond to any fire call. Heilwood, who was 17 years of age, was before the Court recently, and given a chance, and to show his appreciation he was setting off alarms within a few hours. Ashworth had been before the Court for stealing a bike, and Pawson for stealing cigarettes.

The magistrate was asked, therefore, to take a serious view of the cases and impose penalties that would act as a deterrent to others.

The magistrate said Heilwood appeared to be the ringleader, and he would be sent to a Borstal institution for a period not exceeding three years.

The other two were placed on probation for three years, with the special condition that they should observe the hours stipulated by the probation officer, and keep what company he nominated.