THE COURTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18214, 15 March 1929, Page 6

THE COURTS.

CHARGE OF CRUELTY. By Telegraph—Pr era Association. ASHBURTON, March 14. At the Magistrate’s Court, Thomas Pennall, a drover, was sentenced to fourteen days’ hard labour on a charge o fcruelty to a bull, by cutting its nostrils in order to remove a ling. The animal was at the time in a truck at the Ashburton railway yards.

ALLEGED MISAPPROPRIATION. By Telegraph—Preaa Association. GISBORNE, March 14. Pleading not guilty, and reserving his defence, William Alexander Robertson, at the Police Court, was committ.el to the Supreme Court for trial on a charge-of misappropriating funds of the East Const Rabbit Board ,of which he was formerly secretary, having resigned in July last. Robertson was charged with stealing £64 belonging to the Board. BOYS IN TROUBLE. i3f Taieurraph-—Press Association. MASTERTON, March u. Remanded Vo a a ciiarge of unlawfully and wilfully placing three plug's of gelignite oil the ru.ivvay line at Newman, near Eketahuna, a Mastertoii boy, 15g years, appeared in tlx©'. Children’s Court, belpie Mr Miller, S.M . this morning. He was further charged jointly with Jii'd younger brothe*with wilfully setting fire to three buildings over a period of four months, one being an unpccupied residence. The elder boy’ pleaded guilty to the four charges against, him and tho younger to the three charges of arson. Sergeant Dwyer in relating the circumstances of the outbreaks of fire stated that the first, which the bovs were charged with, occurred on Novem her 20, 1928. when, a building, the property of Mr H. H. Daniell. of Masterton was completely destroyed. Tb* police were unable to ascertain the causae of the outbreak. On the following night another outbreak of fire occurred in an unoccupied house situ ated in Chapel Street, the property of Mr. Roberf William Drain, and again innuiries wens made by the police, but without success. During the course of the inquiries following the second suspicious outbreak one. of the boys was interviewed U’id stated that, half an hour before the outbreak he sow two swappers fro into tlm. house, and ve*rv shortly after thev left the fin? broke out. A third fire occurred on Fehruarv 8 last, wtm* •» shed belonging +-i lh° Mnsterton Porough Oouroil was domngfc! On° of thi-* bovs only was p o v>n.prr'vl in the last charge The bovs. the Sergeant c nid, at first denied all knowledge of tho cause of the outbreaks, but later made a eomnletp, confession On being ouest’oned as to wl,v Ihcv set fire to the build, •‘ves. thev «aid that tlmv liked to see tlm fire brigade turn out. The police stated that the elder bov was of wi«nk intellect The Magistrate when addressing the elder bov said be was charged with the placing of gelignite on the railway line did not do serious damage, but it was a senseis and diabolical act. His Worship said hi? took into consideration th« fact, that the boy did not realise, that without caps the gelignite was not dangerous. Tt was appa re nth’ put on the l»m with the idea of hearing a noi--. Tim hov was evidcntlv sub-normal. He, would Hare ! f V’" Child "eltni? •• Hirer a.nd commit him io W»r«m.n Training Farm Tho vonnwr ho- r»= ovirl-ntlv ~n*r in ,-Opprinp of hi, hr-thor. S airl }, is M ni-W. and 1,0-p,,|,l i,„ r j nOT i , mr j o the core of the. Child Welfare Officer.