Like To See Fire Brigade Turn Out

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 612, 14 March 1929, Page 1

Like To See Fire Brigade Turn Out

BOY EXPLAINS CRIMES - THREE MYSTERY OUTBREAKS Press AssociaLion MAS TEUTON, To-day. Remanded on a charge of unlawfully and wilfully placing three plugs of gelignite on the railway line at Newman, near Eketahuna, a j Masterton b'oy aged years apI peared in the Children's Court before Mr. J. Miller, S.M., this i morning. He was further charged jointly with his younger brother, aged 14, with wilfully setting lire to three buildings over a period of four months, one being an unoccupied residence. The elder boy pleaded guilty to the four charges against him and the younger to three charges of arson. Sergeant Dwyer in relating the circumstances of the outbreaks of fires, stated that the first offence with which tho boy’s were charged occurred on November 20 last, when a building, the property of Mr. IT. H. Haniell, of Masterton, was completely destroyed. The police were unable to ascertain the cause of the outbreak. On the following night another outbreak of fire occurred in an unoccupied house situated in Chapel Street, and the property of Robert William Drain. Again inquiries were made by the police but without success. During tlTo course of inquiries following ilie second suspicious outbreak, one of the boys was interviewed, and stated that half an hour before the outbreak he saw two swaggers go into the house, and shortly after they left the fire broke out. A third lire occurred on February S last, when a shed belonging to the Masterton Borough Council was damaged. One of the boys only was concerned in the last charge. OF WEAK INTELLECT The boys at first denied all knowledge of the cause of the outbreaks, but later made a complete confession. On being questioned as to why they set fire to the buildings, they said that they liked to see the fire brigade turn out. The police stated that the elder boy was of weak intellect. The magistrate, when addressing the elder boy, said that he was charged with three serious offences. Fortunately the placing of gelignite on the railway lino did not do serious damage, but it was a senseless and diabolical act. He took into consideration the fact that the boy did not realise that without caps the gelignite was not dangerous. It was apparently put on the line with the idea of hearing the noise.

Tho boy was evidently sub-normal. Ho would place him under the supervision of tho Child Welfare Officer, and commit him to Weraroa Ti'aining Farm. The younger boy was evidently under the influence of his brother. He was placed under the care of the child welfare officer.