THE CRACKER NUISANCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 9115, Issue 9115, 11 January 1910, Page 8

THE CRACKER NUISANCE.

(Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 10 \ few davs before Christmas Eve, the police gave' warning of their intention to reduce the cracker nuisance, but there were nevertheless many offenders against the by-law that prohibited the discharging of fireworks in public streets. On. Saturday morning three small boys appeared before Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M., at the sitting of the Juvenile Court, charged with having discharged crackers. They admitted that they had done so. The Magistrate said that he supposed they were not the only offenders, judging from the abominable nuisance that was created. He was, in fact, absolutely certain from what he had seen himself that there were many. others. Sub-Inspector McGrath remarked that there were other prosecutions to be heard bv the Magistrate's Court. 'Mr Bishop said that the boys were not so culpable as those who supplied them with crackers, for there was so much excitement at such a time that it was a caso of joining in rather than anything else. Until the public realised that there was a more sensible way of behaving, it was hopeless to expect boys to show any improvement. Turning to the boys, the Magistrate asked them if they would promise not to repat the offence' next Christmas, and receiving an affirmative reply, he convicted and discharged them.