£4000 FIRE AT RACECOURSE

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28774, 20 December 1958, Page 4

£4000 FIRE AT RACECOURSE

Youths Given Probation

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, December 18.

The £4OOO fire at the Auckland Racing Club’s Takahini training track last month was described in the Magistrate’s Court at Auckland today as “an accident in the course of a very foolish escapade.” Charles Alec Holdcroft, aged 18, a farrier, and Graham Albert Hill, aged 21, a stablehand, appeared before Mr G. J. Donne, S.M., for Sentence on charges of attempting to steal petrol and to wilfully damaging the workshops and contents of the training track, thereby committing mischief. Each was fined £25, with costs, and placed on probation for three years. z > Mr R. K. Davidson, for Holdcroft, said serious damage had followed the escapade, but it was not caused with direct intent. Both defendants were lucky to escape injury. “This was an innocent expedition which led from foolishness to damage of property nd danger to the< boys,” said Mr R. H. Mackay, appearing for Hill. If they had not struck a match to see if a can was, full of benzine, the only offence committed would have been that of theft, he said. The Magistrate said the stupidity factor passed all understanding. but the fact that the youths intended to steal could not be overlooked.