“A SENSELESS PRACTICE”

Otago Witness, Issue 3698, 27 January 1925, Page 17

“A SENSELESS PRACTICE”

THROWING FIREWORKS IN THE STREET. To some people a warning not to do a thing seems to act ns an incentive to do that particular thing. Prior to the Christmas and New Year festivities in the streets of Dunedin, the police issued a warning to the effect that action would be taken against all persons throwing fireworks in the streets —such warning was published in the papers, but in many cases it was evidently taken ns a joke. Four men who considered it as such found on Friday that some jokes are rather costly, and pointed remarks by the Magistrate carried a sting that no doubt would leaye them feeling rather small and childish. The four defendants, only one of whom appeared, were Robert Fraser, John Fraser, Joseph Farry, and Albert George, and before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., they were charged with, on December 24, at Dunedin, setting off fireworks so as to endanger passers by. Robert Fraser, the only defendant to appear, pleaded not guilty, but John Fraser wrote admitting the offence The case against the Frasers was taken first. Constable M'Cartney stated that in company with Constable Schruffer he was on duty (in plain clothes) in Princes street on the night of December 24. He saw defendant and his brother light large bombs and throw them on to the ground and then run away. The bombs exploded with terrific force. He apprehended the men and took them to the police station, where they both admitted that they had let the bombs off. The street was crowded with people at the time, most of whom were women and child! en. Constable Schruffer gave corroborative evidence. When asked if he had anything to say, Fraser, adopting a belligerent tone, said: *T won’t make any statement.” “And you pleaded not guilty?” queried the Magistrate. Fraser: I did not let off a bomb. It was my brother who did so. The Magistrate said he was satisfied from the evidence that two bombs lmd been dropped, and he thought Fraser should have had sense enough not to have let them off in a crowded thoroughfare. Fraser: I have let them off in other places. The Magistrate: Because you are stupid in one place that is not reason why you do the same thing here. It is a dangerous practice, and must be stopped. It may bo pardonable in a boy, but when you reach mature years you can’t act like a child. You are 19 years of age, and your brother is ?5, and it is certainly worse in his case. It is extremely difficult to deal with these cases, as the practice is so senseless. Senior-sergeant Mathieson said there was a large number of sifimar cases to be brought on, and the cases would have some effect on them. Ii: was a difficult matter to detect the offence, and it put the police to a great deal of trouble. The defendants were each fined 20s (costs 7s). Similar charges were then preferred against Joseph Farry and Albert George. Constables M’Cartney and Schruffer stated that the defendants were letting off fireworks and throwing throw-downs at the intersection of Stafford and Princes streets. Farry wa> the worst offender. The Magistrate lined Farry 40s (costs 7s), and George 20s (costs 7r). It is understood rhat over 40 cases of n similar nature will be heard next Friday.