240-Volt Electric Wire to Stop Thieves

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 110, 11 May 1945, Page 5

240-Volt Electric Wire to Stop Thieves

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE FOLLOWS DEATH OF BOY

Received Thursday, 10.50 p.m. SYDNEY, May 10. A man who is alleged to have run an electric wire along his back fence to stop thieves has been committed for trial on a charge of the manslaughter of a boy. He is Richard Hayter, aged 35, a carpenter. The boy was Ronald Wilkins, aged seven, who was electrocuted on February 24. A police witness told the city coroner that Hayter had admitted putting up a wire carrying about 240 volts running part of the way around his house. He claimed to have done this following robberies on his premises. Bail was allowed.

Strengthened service police patrols and 1000 troops stood guard ni Halifax on Wednesday night against a repetition of rioting which caused damage unofficially estimated at 5,000,000 dollars, says an Ottawa cable. The curfew was reimposed at 8 p.m. Mayor Butler blamed the Canadian Navy for disorders and added that he had informed the Ottawa Government that Halifax citizens expected compensation. Mr. Butler claimed that tho services were unable to control their own personnel contrary to assurances given before VE Day.