DEFIANT BOY

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30294, 21 November 1963, Page 12

DEFIANT BOY

Prosecution Invited (N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, Nov. 20. A 15-year-old boy defied the Takapuna City Council's ban on surf riding last Sunday afternoon, and told the council's beach inspectors that he was agreeable’ to being prosecuted as a test case. The council's chief beach inspector. Mr R. W. Sutherland, reported this to the council last night. The boy, who readily gave his name and address, said that he had read the notice on the beach prohibiting surf riding, but had taken legal advice and considered the by-law unreasonable. When told the police would be informed, the boy returned to the water, where he had left his surfboard, saying that any restraint would be followed by legal action. Mr Sutherland said that he went to the police to ask for assistance in enforcing the by-law, but the police said they could intervene only if bad language or some other civil offence were committed. Earlier in the afternoon, a group of boys about 12 years old had come from the water, where they had been on surf boards and sat on the sea wall. They gave their names and addresses. One boy said he lived there, his father had riparian rights to the beach, and the other boys were his guests. The chairman of the wonts committee <Mr A. E. Burton) said that the council must support its beach inspectors. In his motion, the council agreed to discuss a prosecution with its solicitor.