PICNICKERS & PEA-RIFLE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10507, 7 February 1920, Page 8

PICNICKERS & PEA-RIFLE

A TITAHI BAY AFFAIR TOUTHS CHARGED WITS DAMAGk ENG .INSULATORS. In the Magistrate’s Court yesterday before Mr B. Page, S.M., Maurice Clifford and Bruce Chote, ‘the latter a S'outh. were charged with having broken three telegraph insulators at Titahi Bay on ‘December 14th, Mr J. A. Scott appeared for 'both defendants, who pleaded not guilty. Sub-inspector Emerson, who prosecuted, said the charge concerned the breaking of several telegraph insulators at Titahi Bay, .and the indiscriminate firing of pea-rifle*. , . ~, Jonn wuliam Bell, accountant, said he was at Titahi Bay on Sunday. Decernber 14th last, and heard reports of a gun. Witness went in the direction of the shots, and saw two figures running over a sand bank. He saw one of the defendants, just about to fire at an insulator. One of- the insulators was completely smashed, while several were broken. Both of the defendants bad small rifles. When witness spoke to Chote he replied, "Mind your own 'business." Oho to gave witness his correct name, while Clifford gave his name as Webster., „ , ~ On the same day a bullet went through the wind-screen of a motor-car in the vicinity, and passed between two Maori children who wore sitting in the rear seat of the car. The party included four youths and four young girls. Horace Maybery gave similar evidence. Constable Dromgool said that ho examined the post and. found that ’■kreo insulators had been broken. Clifford was standing about 15 yards away, together with a few- other persons. Both Chote and Clifford denied having fired at the insulator*. . Bruce Chote said the party arrived at Titahi Bav about 12 o’clock, and he wont away with a young lady, did not return until half-past'3. On going straight to the car he was accosted by Constable Dromgool, w-ho accused witness of breaking the insulators. Maurice Clifford snU he tuns at Titahi Bav on December 14th. They had just got settled down when Mr Bell came up Jyid told witness that ho was trespassing on his property. No mention was made of breaking insulators. Chote V"' l also present, and there were three girls. Miss Isitt also gave evidence. . In giving his decision Mr Page saw.

that regarding the charges of wilfully damaging the insulators, it was proved that they were in good order on the Saturday, and were damaged while tha party 'were In the vicinity on the Sunday. The charges had not been proved; there was a certain element of doubt, which the defendants must have the benefit of. The informations were dismissed, the Magistrate suggesting to the defendants that either they should make proper use of pea-rifles or discontinue using them in the future.