YOUTHFUL "STARLIGHT."

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13557, 7 November 1907, Page 2

YOUTHFUL "STARLIGHT."

EXCITED BY MOVING PICTURES. Per Press Association. . t AUCKLAND, November 6. William James Crombie, the boy "bushranger, examined under oath, said that he was fifteen years and eight months, of age, a native of Auckland. fee left school four years ago, being then in the Fourth Standard. Since then he had been working on various farms. He left his last employer, Mr. McLeod, of Helensville, with £2 10s in his pocket, and came to town. That night he went to see the "Starlight" pictures, and thought that the idea was rather a good one to follow. He went to a place in Symonds Street and bought a revolver and twenty-five cartridges, explaining to the shopkeeper that the pigs were troublesome up his way, and took train! again for 1 Helensville. He then stole the horse and equipment and came to; town, like Starlight, to sell the horse. His firdt intention was to travel overland to Wellington and stick up people, on the way." In connection with the affair at Mr^Clarko's, he fired two shots, in the air, and afterwards; when Mr Clarke knocked up his arm, the revolver went off again. He never had any intention of harming anyone, but just to frighten. The accused pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Supreme! 'Court for sentence. i