A YOUTH’S ESCAPADE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 22 January 1927, Page 8

A YOUTH’S ESCAPADE.

BURGLARY AND FIRE. By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, January 21. A sensational incident occurred, ah Panmure on Thursday evening, involving tlie burglary, of a building followed by the destruction of the premises bv fire, and the apprehension of a youth, in a speed boat, on tin* Tain a kit livei. The loss by fire exceeds £IOOO and includes the loss of the whole building and the contents of a plumber’s shop, a bootmaker’s workshop a confectionery business and a garage. The sequel to. the fire began at seven o’clock tins morning when a Mr YVells, a resident of Panmure, noticed that his speed boat was missing from its moorings on tho river. Soon afterwards he picked out the missing boat about two miies down the river where it was anchored. . Air Wells went in pursuit in a rowinn- boat and when within call of the speed boat lie noticed a youth, ’vyorlcing feverishly on tlie motor boat. Tim lad took to a dinghy on seeing Air Wells, but was captured. He was a resident of Panmure. . Under the seat of tlie speed boat was a quantity of tobacco and confectionThe speed boat was towed to Panmure and later the youth was arrested. Goods found in the speed boat were identified as belonging to the. confectionery shop. . The youth admitted breaking into the confectionery shop. He said lie had a| candle but saw no sign of fire when he left. He took the speed boat, but the engine failing to go, he dropped anchor. . .. The boy will appear in the Police Court to-morrow. . .... D, J. Young, owner of the building and occupier - of two of the shops , is a heavy loser. Tlie premises were valued at £BSO and were only insured for £3OO. Over £SO worth of plumbing tools were burned. , , The confectionery shop stock was insured for £IOO. , ’ , i The bootmalding equipment, valued at £SO, was burned and Air Harwood lost too’s valued'at £SO. These were not insured.