"A SERIOUS OFFENCE."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 282, 1 May 1914, Page 6

"A SERIOUS OFFENCE."

HO.VIE-MADIi KLI'XTKtC UllllT. An unusual case whs before Mr. A. Crooke, in Liu; .Magistrate's Court, New Plymouth, yesterday, when William liiley pleaded guilty to a charge of having wrongfully diverted the borough water supply, and to another of having used it ior tin; production oi electric light. .Mr. C. W. (lovett prose» puteil oil behalf of the New Plymouth ilorough Council.

Counsel said that the delendant had diverted the water supply into a sued on his property, and there used it tor a dynamo for the production ot electric light. This was, of course, a very serious offence, as tliii Borough itself supplied electric light, and could not tolerate its own domestic water supply being used l'ov the production of that which it sold. At the same time, he did not; wish for a heavy penalty, as the defendant was quite a young man, and apparently was not aware of the measure- of his oll'enee. .Mr. Crooke, N..Y1.: He. certainly displayed great ingenuity. Mr. Ilovett: ingenious people very often lind themselves in a peculiar position.

The defendant said that he had "only done it once as an experiment." The light would not have been used for the liuusc. as it was not suitabb for that, the pressure of water being so low that lie could not make suitable light. Me produced a small light bulb as a sample of what he hud used.

Mr. Cropke: Jiut if it had been good enough yon would have used it in the house? Defendant: Yes.

Mis Worship remarked that defendant did not appear to have been aware ot the seriousness of his oflene?. and the penalty. Defendant would he lined on the two charges lills and costs .€1 13s.