YOUTHS’ SENSELESS ACT

Taranaki Daily News, 29 January 1931, Page 16

YOUTHS’ SENSELESS ACT

TARGET MADE OF INSULATORS.

POWER SERVICE BREAKDOWN.

On the evening of January 3 last a serious breakdown occurred on the highpower line at Konini, Xorth. AVairarapa, and dairy factory and milking machines were held up for some time. On investigation it was found that three of the insulators were broken. How the insulators were broken was shown in the Pahiatua Magistrate’s Court last week, when two young men, I. H. Birkshaw, aged 22 years, and James Lamont, aged 25 years, were charged with wilfully damaging them. A third youth, A. Hunt, was charged with attempting to damage them. Evidence was given by the police that the three youths went rabbit shooting with a pea-rifle. They caught no rabbits, and the power poles being handy, they decided to try their marksmanship on the insulators. Birkshaw fired first, and scored a “bull.” Lamont fired next, and shattered another cup. Hunt fired at the third, but missed it. Birkshaw then took the rifle again, and completed the job by smashing the third cup. The magistrate, Mr. J. Miller, S.M., said that the action had been concerted, and each was equally liable for the mischief done. He impressed on defendants the seriousness of their offence, and pointed out that they werQ liable to a fine not exceeding £5OO. ■ “We have had a lot of cases of boys breaking telegraph insulators,” the magistrate added, “but you are not boys. Apparently, though, although you have grown up physically, you haven’t mentally, as this looks like the senseless act of larrikins. Y'ou must have known the dieffrence between ordinary telegraph posts and the big Power Board poles. I intend making the punishment a. substantial one, as stupid and senseless practices of this kind have to be put down.” Each of the youths was fined £7, and ordered to pay 16s. Bd. toward the damage done.