THE LEVIN FIRE.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 12 November 1920, Page 3

THE LEVIN FIRE.

CHARGE OP ARSON. At the Palmcrston North Supreme Court, sitting a lad of 15 years named Clarence James Davidson, who Lad ■previously pleaded guilty in the Loner Court to a charge of having, on October 23, -wilfully set lire to a butcher's shop at Levin, occupied by Joseph Lcmnion, came up for sentence. Mr Innes, who appeared for the boy. mentioned that disagreement about some aprons had occurred.between the lad and his former employer, Mr Lemrnon. His Honor intervened to say that he knew the facts that had been adduced. Mr Innes then drew attention to the youth of the prisoner and stated that his father was a most reputable man and had hecn a Borough Council employee in .Levin for thirty-six years. Counsel suggested that the charge should be taken as one of attempted niosn, as tho damage done was iiifiini tesimal. He asked that the boy be ad mitted to probation. His Honor replied that it was a ques tion of what was best, to do for ih<' boy. He did not know whether probation was open to him. The boy had sot fire to an'inhabited house. Mr Innes stated the butcher'. 1 j shop was not inhabited, hut an adjoin j ing house under Uie one roof was in j habited, he thought. ' Mr Cooke, who appeared for the j Crown, stated that the lire was started j in a thickly inhabited part of the ■ town. His Honor said there was a danger ] of other buildings being implicated and lives endangered. He would take j time to consider the matter further, j and accordingly prisoner would be remanded. Sentence would probably be passed in two or three (lays. ; Later. Accused was admitted to probation » for three years, and, on the recommen j dation of the probation officer special conditions were inserted preventing accused from attending picture shows • and from being out after 8 o'slock lit j night during that period, unless by j special consent, or in company with j his father. i