THEFT AT BATHS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 144, 31 March 1930, Page 8

THEFT AT BATHS.

TWO BOYS COMMITTED. ' (Special to the “Guardian.”) CHRISTCHURCH, March 29. When two boys, one ten years of age and the other 15, came before the Juvenile Court to-day, for theft of. a belt worth 2s 6d at the Tepid Baths, there was a controversy between them and the police as to whether they had signed a statement at the Police Station. One boy said that he refused to sign. In reply to Mr H. A. Young, S.M., he said at first that he refused because he did not wish to sign. Being pressed he said that he had been advised before not to sign. The‘Magistrate: Your father advised you ?—No. Constable Chisnall said that on the evening of March 8 he went on to tne roof of the baths, removed a pane of glass, and watched the dressing-rooms below. He saw one boy go into a cubicle while the other boy stood by and watched. The other boy then went into another cubicle while his mate watched. The belt was the only thing taken. One of the boys said that he saw the belt. Believing that it belonged to nobody, he picked, it up, but not with the intention of stealing it. The belt was not actually in his hand when the constable spoke to him. The Magistrate accepted the statements of the police. He convicted both boys, fining one £2 and committing the other to the care of the Child Welfare Officer.