“THE FIRE BUG.”

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 229, 27 August 1929, Page 5

“THE FIRE BUG.”

TWO BOYS’ ESCAPADE. ACTIVITIES IN CHRISTCHURCH. Reports of the activities of the notorious fire-bug seem to have got on to the brain of two Christchurch boys who came before the Juvenile Court charged with breaking into a workshop and stealing tools. They broke in several times, and after the second time, the owner found the following notice chalked on a board:—“Me and My Shadow. Me and the Man in the Moon. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again. P.S., Jf you don 't put locks on your doors, you will find, tho place burnt down. (Signed) the Fire Bug.” Cliief-Detectivo Carroll said that the boys were brothers; one was fifteen years of age, the other ten. On the second occasion, they showed some ingenuity in getting in, using a piece of wire to manipulate 'the bolt. The worst feature of the affair -was that, on the second occasion, they smeared filth in 'the place. Their home surroundings were quite good. The elder boy was an amateur carpenter and stole the tools for his work. The younger one was led by the other. Mr H. P. Lawry, S.M. : Tho little boy is the Shadow ? Chief-Detective Carroll: Yes. They have been thrashed. It is a great shock to their parents. Tho boys were placed under the supervision of the Child Welfare Officer for two years. “You understand you are being treated very well,” the Magistrate said. “You will be allowed to go home, but you must do everything the Child Welfare Officer tells you to do. If you don’t, you may be brought up and punished and sent away to a school, and you don’t want that, do you?” The boys replied “No, sir.” “Well, take warning and behave yourselves,” the Magistrate added.