YOUTHFUL RAIDERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14587, 25 January 1911, Page 8

YOUTHFUL RAIDERS.

A CAMP VISITED.

REPRIMANDED AND FINED,

[by telegraph.— OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Hamilton, Tuesday. At the Police Court this morning two youths, Gurney Coombes and Andrew Pevreal, pleaded guilty to having, on January 7, at, Tauwhare, stolen a singlebarrelled gun and other articles, of the value of 38s 9d, 'the property of Sydney Johns, and a number of small articles, the property of Arthur Edmonds. They were, also charged with wilfully destroying two camp ovens, billies, etc., the property of Arthur Edmonds. The total value of the property stolen and damaged was" £3 14s 3d.

Sergeant Hastie said that on the day in question the accused had gone to tho camp of Johns, and stolen the articles in question, besides destroying the camp ovens and billies, by blowing holes through them with a rifle. When arrested, they had assisted the police to recover the stolen property. Neither of them had ever been before the Court on any previous occasion. Arthur Edmonds, ■ of Tauwhare, said the farmers in the district were greatly worried by youths going shooting over their properties. They desired protection from such raiders. "Neither of the accused had permission to shoot over his property. Coombes had asked for permission, but had been refused. ■ Both the accused said they were under the effects of two gallons of beer, supplied by another member of the party, and did not know what they were doing. The Bench severely reprimanded the accused for trespassing, but said , they were not charged with this offence. On the main charge of theft, each was fined £2, and on tho minor charges they were convicted, and ordered to restore the gun, and pay . expenses and damages amounting to £5 14s 9d. Default was fixed at one month's imprisonment. A fortnight was allowed in which to find the money.