Three Youths Fined For Shooting In Park

Northern Advocate, 26 February 1940, Page 2

Three Youths Fined For Shooting In Park

The sound of shots in Mail' Park on. Boxing Day brought a constable on the scene and resulted in three Auckland youths being charged in the Whangarei Court this morning. The youths, who did not appear, were Albert Steven Banbury, 17, Thomas Dudley Cochrane, 19, and Stephen Spencer, 19, each being charged with discharging a firearm in Mair Park so as to endanger passersby. Constable Davis said that while on special cuvjy in Mail' Park he had heard shots and had' investigated, the three youths each' N of whom had a pearifle being found. They had admitted firing shots into the river, but said they were strangers from Auckland and did not know they were in a. park. The bed of the river was stony and there was always the danger of shots riccocheting, said the constable. Complaints of Vandalism Statements had been made by the three accused, admitting the offences, said Constable Norris in evidence. Senior-Sergeant A. Henderson said that the firing of rifles in such a place was a dangerous practice-? Constable Davis had been on special duty in the park, following complaints of vandalism. Previously two lamps had been broken by rifle fire. Asked what was the position regarding the rifles, which had been taken by the police, Senior-Sergeant Henderson told the magistrate (Mr Ferner) that broaches of the Arms Act would result in further charges being brought in Auckland, where the question of the rifles would be attended to. Each of the youths wa.s fined £2 with costs.