Maliciously Save Many False Fire Alarms

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7281, 7 October 1933, Page 6

Maliciously Save Many False Fire Alarms

THREE YOUTHS DEALT WITH BY WELLINGTON COURT Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. Police investigations into an unusually large number of false fire alarms during past months resulted in the appearance of threo youths before Mr. E. Page, SAL, 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 SOS men attended the calls, in addition to which every other fireman at the station which received the alarm was brought on duty. The engines were called out 130 times, and the average cost, of the turnouts was £5. In one ease an alarm was given from tho 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 bike, and Pawson for stealing cigarettes. Tho 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 ala rms.

The magistrate said Hailwood appeared to bo 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 lie nominated.