Beehive climb ‘expensive’

Press, 30 December 1980, Page 2

Beehive climb ‘expensive’

PA' Wellington Two youths who climbed the outside of the Beehive; on Saturday were each fined' $lOO in the District Court at-' Wellington yesterday. Peter David Johnston, aged 18, a panelbeater, and John Patrick Griffin, aged 19, a process worker, pleaded guilty before Judge Graham to being bn premises without lawful excuse. The Judge said it was more of an act of stupidity, and was “an expensive day out.”

Johnston also pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis and a pipe, which can be used with drugs, and was fined $lOO on each charge.

i Sergeant W. R. Jaques 'said the youths were found [at the Beehive at 6 p.m. -using a builder’s ladder to ‘climb to the first level. Wearing backpacks, they then climbed scaffolding to reach the third level. A minister of Parliament on the walkway saw them and told a security officer. The youths said they wanted to see the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon). The duty solicitor told the Court that both youths were from Auckland. The climb was a holiday prank after they had returned to Wellington in the Picton ferry. Both had been drinking heavily aboard the ferry.. ;