LARRIKINS CAUGHT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17410, 7 November 1930, Page 6

LARRIKINS CAUGHT

OBSTRUCTION ON ROAD BENCH EMPHASISES DANGER ‘‘Those youths are all old enough to have more sense," said Senior,Sergeant Wade in the Police Court this morning when seven lads appeared before Messrs. John Jackson and T. Corson, J ’s.l’., charged with a piece of larrikinism which might have been attended by serious consequences. The youths were Herbert Moore, Ed war J K. .Saunders, Mark Moore, George Bell, Allan L. Jteidy, Clarence N. Moore, and Laurence C. Woodbury, who admitted that on November 2, at Mnkaraka, they ‘‘did place an obstruction on the road, whereby life and limbs were likely to be endangered. ’ ’

The senior-sergeant explained that the boys evilcntly intended to ‘’put the wind up" someone, and thought that what they were doing was a joke, but if was a joke that might have been attended by very serious consequences. They had placed a heavy truck tyre on the side of the Ma-karakn-Matawhero road, and anyone coming along the road would swerve to avoid it. If the motorist stopped to investigate, one of. the boys would remove tiie tv re from the road.

“£ don’t suppose they realised the seriousness of what they were doing," added Senior-Sergeant Wade; ‘‘if a car hud struck the tyre and overturned, the boys might have been charged with manslaughter." One of the victims of the ‘‘joke" had reported the matter to the police, and a constable went out to look into the matter. The boys burnt their boots getting away, however, and the constable, who chased them over fences and paddocks, was not fast enough to catch them, but. when questioned later the boys all honestly admitted what they had done, and came to the court volant a lily. It was a piece of larrikinism, and the speaker felt sure the boys did not see the serious side id' the matter.

In reply to the bench, the seniorsergeant said the tyre had been placed on the side of the road, about 200yds from the .spot where the fatal accident occurred last (Saturday night. “This is a very serious charge," said the chairman, Mr. Jackson. ‘‘Anyone who puts an obstruction on the road to the danger of life and limb is liable to a line of £2O or three months’ imprisonment, or both. You boys thought you were Inning a bit of fun, and did not realise that if in swerving or after striking the tyre a car had capsized and someone been seriously, hurt or killed, you would be before the court on a manslaughter charge. We intend, however, to take into consideration the fact that you acted innocently, and that you were perfectly frank in the matter, .and this time you will be given a warning."

The youths were convicted and dis tharged.