NEWS OF THE DAY.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12770, 16 April 1910, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The annual meeting of the Waimea Rifles will be held on Monday next. Schedules for the Horticultural Society's autumn show am now proeur|al)le, as advertised; The monthly subscribers' meeting ol the Permanent Building Society .will be held on Monday and Tuesday next. Dividends are now payable to shareholders of the South British Insurance Company. Last evening Mrs Dement, a highly respected and long resident of Nelson, passed away, being in her ninetyfourth year. She was the widow of the late Mr William Dement. The aged couple some years ago celebrated their, diamond wedding, they being' among the first to, erect a home in the west end of Hardy street. Notwithstanding her great age deceased was very bright up to the last, and took a keen interest in passing events. She leaves a growji up family, some grandchildren and great grandchildren. The first game of cribbage in connection with the Wakatu Association's tournament of tlie season will be played on Monday evening at Mercer's rooms, commencing at seven o'clock, between teams representing the Old Navals aud tlie Nelson Rifles. Tlie former will be represented by T. Brown and Sherwood, junr., Stiles and Glover, G. Dayman and J. Sherwood, senr., Liddell and White, Hargreaves and J. Simpson. . ' Scarcely a week passes without an accident • caused through a pea rifle being recorded. A case which came before Mr Evans, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday, shows, that the police are active in the matter of preventing juveniles carrying these rifles, and it will come as a surprise to most to. learn that for a boy under sixteen years of age to carry firearms is an offence under the Police Offences Act. The defendant in yesterday's case pleaded guilty to the charge of haying a pea rifle in his possession, he Deing under the age of sixteen years. Sergeant Dougan said that the boy was shooting on the flats in the vicinity of the septic tank ; and the bullet fired went in proximity .to two men who were at work. The father of the boy said that his son was a cadet, and quite used to firearms, though as a matter of fact ho. did not know the boy was. out with the rifle, nor was he aware before that it was unlawful for a boy under sixteen to be in possession of firearms. The boy shot at a shag, and could not account for the bullet going in the direction stated. The.. Magistrate said that it was a first offence, and the first case of the kind before him in that court, and he would record a conviction and discharge the defendant, with 7s costs to pay. Sergeant Dougan said that the Act provided that in case of conviction the firearm "shall be forfeited to the Crown," and held, subject to the direction of the Minister for Internal Affairs. In reply to the Magistrate, it was elioited that the rifle was a borrowed one, the owner being fourteen years of age only. Mr Evans said that the owner could not lawfully have the rifle in any case and he must follow the statute and forfeit. It was shown that the rifle was defective, the trigger being absent,' and a piece of wire entered iuto the make-shift by ■which the hammer was released. It is not only unlawful for a boy under sixtoen to carry or have in his possession firearms, but also ammunition, and it is unlawful for either to be sold or supplied to boys under the age mentioned. If these facts are known and parents and guardians take the action they should, there should be. a considerable number of pea rifles forfeited for the time being, Mr Evans in his remarks also referred to the offence; of discharging firearms within the town boundary. ■ To-day, at 11.30 a.m., Mr W. Lock will continue the sale, of watches and gold jewellery on account of Mr L. Murray, of Wellington.