FALSE FIRE ALARM.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 January 1920, Page 6

FALSE FIRE ALARM.

A MAN FINED , CHARGE OP ABETTING FAILS. Two men were brought Before the Magistrate's Court yesterday on charges concerning a false alarm of fire. Walter James Koss was charged with having given a false alarm of Are at the Central Fire Brigade Station, and Eric Bellringer iras charged with having abetted the commission of the offence. The former pleaded guilty, but Bellringer denied having aided in the offence. Mr. C. H. Croker appeared for them. Sub-In-spector Hutton prosecuted. Evidence was given by Henry Charles Everest, laborer, to the effect that on the Tuesday evening in question, he was m his garden and could see the fire alarm box at the corner of Devon and Eliot Streets. Three men were standing by the box and he recognised two of them as being Ross and Bellringer. After about five minutes' conversatton, Bellringer and the third man then walked along, Devon Street towards the 'centre of the town, and Ross broke the glass in the box. To Mr. Croker: He did not see Bellringer near the alarm box. Frederick M. Doughty, custodian of the Central Fire Station, deposed that the brigade turned out, and on arriving at the box found that the alarm was a false one. He was told that a man in uniform was concerned, and therefore looked about the streets. The first man in uniform he saw was Ross, who was standing near the Red House Hotel with Bellringer. Witness spoke to them and said they "were a nice pair to give all this trouble." They hesitated before replying, and then ano of them Baid he had had nothing to do with it. Both men appeared to have been ingDetective Frtzgibhon also gave evidence. He. said that on the following day he interviewed Bellringer, and the latter made a statement denying knowledge of the alarm, but though he said the statement was true he would not sign it. The Magistrate agreed with Mr. Croker that the evidence against Bellringer was lacking, and he accordingly dismissed the charge against him. In the case of Ross, His Worship remarked that he did not believe in the "amusement of bringing the fire brigade out on a false alarm." A fine of £lO was imposed, with costs.