AIRGUN MENACE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18902, 18 January 1927, Page 7

AIRGUN MENACE.

YOUTHS BEFORE COURT(PSE3S iSBOCUMOir TBLBGBAH.) NELSON, January 17. "The police have had quite a number of complaints about boys using airguns during the holiday season," remarked Plain Clothes Constable Hall in the Juvenile Court to-day, when two lads were charged with assaulting other lads by firing an air rifle at them. "It seems to be the custom of parents about Christmas time," added the police representative, "to buy air guns for their children without seeming\ quite to realise they are committing an offence." Evidence showed that the pellets from the air gun struck the lads aimed at, but did not inflict any injury to speak of. In answer to the Magistrate the defendants said they did not realise the seriousness of what they were doing. The Magistrate remarked that this showed how essential it was that the law should be strictly enforced. . Irresponsible youths like those before him were a menace to the community. ' In answer to the Magistrate, Plain Clothes Constable Hall said no serious injury Was inflicted, but if the pellets had struck a vital spot the parents of tho accused might have had to pay heavy damages! There was an instance 6n record where the father of a lad had to pay £2OO or £3OO compensation. ' • Each of the lads was fined £3. On further charges of unlawfully using airguns the informations were dismissed. The salesman who sold the airgtm to one of the lads, aged 15 years 9 months, was fined £1 la, costs 7s. In answer to the Magistrate he said he did not doubt for a moment that the lad was over 16 years of age.