FALSE ALARMS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 266, 7 October 1933, Page 2

FALSE ALARMS.

YOUTHS IN COURT

Per Press Association

WELLINGTON, Oct. 6. Police investigations into an unusually large number of false fire alarms during past months resulted in the appearance of three youths before Mr E. Page, S.M., to-day. William Charles Hailwood pleaded guilty to 30 charges, while George Thomas Pawson and Harvey Ashworth, each pleaded guilty to five charges. Their offences were committed in company with Hailwood, who was jointly charged with them. Ashworth pleaded guilty to a further two charges. The police said 71 false alarms had been received in five months. The amount of time occupied by the brigades in attending the false alarms was 37 hours, and 308 men attended the calls, in addition to which every other fireman at the station which received the abirm was brought on duty. Tlie engines were called out 139 times, and the average cost of the turnouts was £5. In one case an alarm was given from the centre of Lambton Quay and no less than four engines turned out and other engines had to be brought in from suburban stations to replace them. The fact was stressed that the brigades must respond to any fire call. Hailwood, who is aged 17 and was before the Court recently and given a chance, to show his appreciation was setting off alarms within a few hours. Ashworth had been before the Court for stealing a bicycle, and Pawson for stealing cigarettes. The Magistrate was asked, therefore, to take a serious view of the cases and impose penalties that would act as a deterrent to others from giving false alarms.

The Magistrate said that Hailwood appeared to be the - ringleader and would be sent to a Borstal institution for a period not exceeding three years. The other two were placed on probation for three years, with the special condition that they should observe hours stipulated by the probation officer and keep what company he nominated.