FALSE FIRE ALARMS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12239, 12 June 1909, Page 5

FALSE FIRE ALARMS.

AN OFFENDER FINED

(i*er Press Association)

WELLINGTON, June 11. As a result of a series of false alarms of fire on the sth inst., to which the Brigade responded on each occasion, a young man named John Evans was charged in the .Magistrate's Court today with wantonly setting in motion the fire alarm in Hopper Street. Doris Harris, residing in Hopper Street, said she. saw accused and another man on the night of the sth inst. Witness had been informed previously that a false alarm had already been given in Wallace Street, ■ and consequently she suspected the two men. One of the men she remembered 'as accused. She saw him deliberately break the glass of the-alarm with his pocket" knife. Witness spoke to him and lie replied that there was a fire. Witness did not belieye him, and accordingly she tried to hold him. They struggled, but usbsequently the man was successful, in freeing" himself by means of throwing her down. He made off, and witness followed him to a house in South Avenue. The second man had preceded accused. When witness arrived at the house she overheard someone say, "Come in here, Jack; you'll cop out for this." Witness took stock of the surroujndings, and returned to Hopper Street and informed Superintendent O'Brien and a constable of the occurrence.

Superintendent O'Brien', of tlib" Fire Brigade, and Constable Belcher gave corroborative evidence.

The defence was a denial of the charge, accused saying he was in. bed; about an hour and a lialf prior ]to the occurrence. '":':' "'*■'■ ■".'■•-'' '. :,

Mr Riddle, S.M.,convicted accused, and fined him £3 and costs 255, in default seven days' imprisonment.