KNICK=KNOCK.”

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 5 August 1926, Page 10

KNICK=KNOCK.”

ANNOYING AN INHABITANT.

OKA I AAV A YOUTHS’ ESCAPADE

‘T think you have all arrived l at an age, when you should have given up practices' such as making mud pies or playing Mtnick knock,’ ” said Air J. S. Barton, S.AL, in the Magistrate’s Court at llawera this morning in dealing with the adjourned charges of wilfully disturbing an inhabitant preferred by the police against Alfred Waldron, 24 years of age, Robt. Gardner (211, and Albert Tip-lady (20), of Okaiawa. The charge against Waldron related to June 26, while Gardner and Tiplady were, charged with having committed the offence on June 23 and June 26-. Mr P. M. Brooker entered pleas of guilty on behalf of Gardner and Tiplady," and Waldron also admitted the often ce. Sergeant J. Henry, in outlining the circumstances, said that on the evening of Wednesday, June 23, Gardner and 1 Tiplady, in company with two others who had been dealt with 'at the previous sitting of the court, had gone to the house of an old man and annoyed him by carrying on the practice known as “knick knocking.” The old man on that occasion took no notice. On the Saturday of the same week the three defendants had l continued the practice, the old man then lodging a 'omplaint. Stones had been thrown on the roof and windows had been broken, hut the defendants had denied' they were responsible. “Tiplady appears to have been the ringleader,” said the sergeant in conclusion, “and is known as Okaiawa’s biggest hoodlum.” An explanation of the failure of the defendants to appear in court at the previous sitting was given by counsel for Gardner and Tiplady. Counsel expressed on their behalf regret for what had occurred .and gave an undertaking the offences would not be repeated. A similar intimation’ was made by Waldron when asked if he had any statement to make.

Concluding the admonitory remarks already mentioned, the magistrate entered convictions on each charge against Waldron and Gardner, and ordered defendants to come up for sentence if called upon within 12 months. He gave a. warning that should the police, had any further cause to bring the defendants before the court they would he severely dealt with. Tiplady was similarly dealt with in respect to the first charge. Dealing with the second offence of this defendant, the magistrate said he must take into account the remarks' passed by the sergeant. in view of which a fine of £2 and 11s costs was imposed.