CULPRIT FOUND

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 20, 18 October 1941, Page 12

CULPRIT FOUND

Malicious False Fire Alarms

It was divulged at yesterday’s meeting of the AVellington Fire Board that at least one giver of false fire alarms had been discovered. The brigade had received a call to am alleged outbreak of fire in the Hope Gibbons Building in Dixon Street and without loss of time the call was traced to a certain house on Seatoun Heights. With this clue to work- on, it was discovered that the call had been given by a lad 11 years of age resident in the district, during the absence of the owner of the house. Not only did the boy admit giving the false alarm mentioned, but he confessed to having given false alarms on September 3 amd 24. In view of his age aud on the parents promising to take disciplinary action, the case was allowed to drop. ’ This course did not meet with the approval of some members of the fire, board, when the superintendent’s report oft the case was submitted. “In view of the seriousness of thia business,” said Mr. M. F. Luckie, “I consider that this was a case for a proper birching. With the matter left to domestic punishment we don’t know what punishment was administered, or even whether there was any at all. This sort of thing, I am convinced, comes from Jack of discipline in the home.”

The superintendent, Mr. Woolley, said that he had only acted in the manner dictated by the board some time. ago. Mr. Luckie moved, and it was agreed, that in future, where the giving of malicious false alarms was proved, the police be requested to take proceedings.