DISORDERLY BEHAVIOUR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4405, 23 January 1930, Page 3

DISORDERLY BEHAVIOUR.

.COMPLAINTS AT SHANNON

FIVE YOUTHS FINED.

Disorderly behaviour at Shannon on the night of November 17 resulted in the appearance of a number of youths before Mh\ J. Tv. Stout, S.M., in the Palmerston N. Police (Clourt on Monday. Thomas Edward Lee was charged with wilfully damaging a cycle to the extent of 10/-, the property of A. E. Sands, and with behaving in a disorderly manner in a public place, Nathan Texface, Shannon. Percival Hans 'Wilde was charged with disorderly behaviour in Otaura Road, Shannon, and with wilfully damaging ten panes of glass, valued £2 5/-, the property of Irene Rereinai, of Ohau.' Andrew McEwen and E. Pratt were charged with disorderly behaviour, and A. E. Brassington with wilfully damaging a cycle, and disorderly behavioui. All pleaded not guilty. Mr. Cooper appeared for Brassington (who was not present at the Court), Lee, and Wilde.

Constable Blaikie, of Shannon, produced statements made by defendants in which they admitted that stones 'were thrown on the roofs of several residences. Lee admitted removing the handle-bais from a cycle. Mr. Cooper: Were: the statements made voluntarily?

Constable Blaikie: They were not. I had to question the youths thoroughly. Alfred Edward Sands said he could well recall the night of November 17. He was in bed, and the first sign of anything amiss was when a big boulder landed on. his roof. He saw no one about, so went fo(r his cycle, Intending to head off the miscreants. He found, however, that the handle-bars were missing, that the back wheel had been tampered with, and that several spokes were broken. Mrs. Langdpn, the occupier of a house in -Shannon, said that she know defendants by sight but not by name. On the night referred to a gang, led by Brassington, came to her residence and threw stones. When she told them to go she was abused by some of the youths. Later, they ran away. Senior-Sergeant Whitehouse: Were many stones thrown? Witness: Gracious me, some of them were the size of your head. Three panes of glass were broken. Do you know which of the youths threw the stones? Witness: No.

Mr. Cooper: How many were there in the gang?- —About twenty. Mr. Cooper: How many panes are there broken in your, house? — There are only two whole panes left.

Mr. IC'ooper: How many panes were broken at the paJrty the previous Wednesday night, when the people from Otaki were present?— About six.

“Wjhat time did your Otaki friends go?”- —I do not know. Mr. Cooper asked several other questions, whereupon the Magistrate said: That has nothing to do with the case.

Mb’. .Cooper: I am testing the credibility of tlie witness. The Magistrate: The value of three panes of glass! Mr. 'Cooper said that. Lee had admitted removing the handle-bars from the cycle, which no doubt put Sands to some trouble. It had also been frankly admitted that stones had been thrown on three different roofs by some of the youths. Mrs. Langdon had admitted that there was a party at her house when a number of windows were broken. The youths were charged with breaking ten panes, whereas it was elicited in cross-examination that ail but three were hjroken at the party. The Magistrate said that he was prepared to dismiss the charges of wilfully damaging the cycle, provided the .youths concerned were prepared to put the machine in repair. Mr. Cooper said that this would be done. Lee, in his evidence, admitted that stones were thrown on Mrs. Langdon’s house. He had not heard of any windows being broken. - Wilde admitted throwing one or two little stones at Mrs. Langdon’s house. He did not hear of any windows 'being broken. ? Senior-'Sefrgeant Wlhitehouse: Did you know that, the constable was away?- —Yes. “1 suppose you took advantage of his absence?”—’No. “Were you convicted for an affair at the Post Oiffiee?”—Yes. “Are you on probation for throwing bottles at a train?” —Yes. ; McEwen said he thought he heard one stone smash a window. Mrs. Coutts, of Shannon, said she was told by 'Mrs. Langdon that the glass was broken by the “Otaki boys.” Replying to Senior-Sergeant Whitehouse, witness said the guests at the party were dancing the Maori hafea. The Magistrate said that Lee, Wilde and Brassington had been before h!ian on a previous occasion for larrikinism. They had been leniently ttreated, Ibut had apparently not learnt a lesson. Each would be fined £6, and ordered to pay 10/- costs. - McEwen and Pratt were each fined £2, in default 14 days’ imprisonment, for disorderly behaviour. Witnesses’ expenses amounting- to 28/8 were divided between defendants.