FALSE ALARMS

Hokitika Guardian, 10 July 1930, Page 3

FALSE ALARMS

YOUNG -WOMAN CAUGHT

The mystery of the numerous mali-cious-false alarms which have puzzled the City Eire Brigade and Police Departments for the past few months was solved, says the “Otago Daily Times” when-,a young woman, who was stated to be 20 years of age, appeared before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., and pleaded giultp, to giving, a. false alarm of fire. Chief Detective Cameron said that a long series of malicious false alarms .extending over some months had caused Ithbf&itylafnd Roslyn Brigades considerable expense and annoyance, and cqnsequeJlji on extensive inquiries, Constables’ Gibson and.O’Connor had kept booth under observation On Friday morning they saw the’' defendant go to the cabinet, and Constable! Gibson got near enough to hear her.- speaking to tlie Roslyn Fire Brigade* He was able to,intercept, the calf inHime to prevent the brigade from turning out, and the. defendant was placed under artost. About two years.-, previously she had been interviewed* 'by the police in connection with a'number of bogus calls to taxi proprietors and the nuisance had ceassL . Sfre was, not mentally strong, 'aHlffcl' she was not certifiable, and who was unable to control ; glad;. ;v if she could be cplfiefecE under restraint .... |if ».pixtrate , observed that tin offence" appeared to be a form of mama wij& the defendant,.,and., couvicted her amlN ordered /herto ■be admitted to p-poßbtion'fSr tWo years;,'a special conditionvljetiig'; that'she remains during that period in the. Salvation Army Home “'at Caversham, or such other place''as the .female probation officer shall approve. In prohibiting publication .of her name,-his Worship said be would;, only look at the defendant as wehlt-mifibed, and that public interest would not be affected by bis adopting this course.