FALSE ALARMS OF FIRE.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17645, 23 December 1922, Page 3

FALSE ALARMS OF FIRE.

YOUTHS BEFORE COTJBT. The first case for some time in which offenders have been caught after sending a false alarm to the City Fire Brigade, was heard at the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M. Jieiiry Johnston, aged l'i a j avenue at;ed lo years, were with wilfully giving a false aiarm to ttie Cnnsccuureii City i'iro Brigade by breaking a street lire aiarm. Sub-Inspector J. K. Simpson said the information was laid under the Fire Brigades Act-, 1908, under which the penalty of imprisonment could be inflicted. The Brigade had received a false alarm from Barbadoes 6treet. Later Sergeant A. G. Quartermain had interviewed the two defendants; who admitted the offence. Johnston had said that they were in Bealey Avenue about 10.30 on the morning in question, and that they had decided to break the alarm. "It is very difficult to trace these false alarms"—continued the inspector. "There have been no fewer than 57 false alarms given this year, and the cost tc the Brigade is about £5 each time. Both boys are apprentices, and the act was committed for pure mischief." "Do you read the papers?" asked the Magistrate of the defendants. "Yes,".was the reply. Ify Tho Magistrate: Well, did you notice that a man was sentenced to six mouths' imprisonment in Wangaiuii without the option of a fine for this offence? What the sub-inspector said is correct. You bring out a big brigade at a big cost, just for the fun of seeing them come. If you were adults I should know what to do with you, but as you are boys, it iB difficult to know what to do. Sub-Inspector Simpson said that both boys kept late hours. Thev each had a bicycle and were about the street at night. The Magistrate: What was the cost to the Brigade? Sub-Inspector Simnson: The actual cost was about £5, but with the loss,of time the cost would be about £lO. "I shall not deal with you to-day," said the Magistrate. "I shall ask Mr Bissett (Juvenile Probation Officer) to give me a report. I shall hold tTiis over' your heads until January 20th. In the meantime I shall consider what is to be done. I warn you,'' - he concluded, "that I view this as a very serious offence."