BOYS WITH AIR GUNS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16243, 18 January 1927, Page 10

BOYS WITH AIR GUNS

IRRESPONSIBLE YOUTHS A MENACE."

(Per Press Association.) JSELSO., last night

"The police have received a number of complaints about boys using ail guns during the.holiday season,'* remarked plain clothes Constable Hall, in the Juvenile Court to-day, when two lads were charged with assaulting other lads by tiring an air ride at them. "It seems to be the custom of parents about Christmas time," added the police representative, "to buy air guns lor their children without seeming quite to realise they are committing an offence."

The evidence showed that pellets from aa air gun struck the lads aimed at, but did not inflict any injury to sneak of. In answer to the magistrate, defendants said they did not realise the seriousness of what they were doing.

The magistrate remarked that this showed hotv essential it was that the law should be strictly enforced. Irresponsible youths like those before him were a menace to Ihe community.

In answer to the magistrate, plain clothes Constable Hall said no serious injury was inflicted, but if the pellets had struck vital spots the parents of accused might have had to pay heavy damages. There was an instance on record where the father of a lad had to pay £2OO or £3OO compensation. Each of the lads was lined £3.

On a further charge of unlawfully using an air gun the informations were dismissed.

A salesman who sold an air gun to one of the lads, aged 15 years and 9 months, was fined £1 and costs 7s. In answer to the magistrate lie said he did not doubt for a moment: that the lad was over 16 years of age.