THEFT OF A BICYCLE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 261, 18 August 1930, Page 6

THEFT OF A BICYCLE.

OFFENCE BY A EOY. HIS MOTHER'S LANGUAGE. (Special to the "Guardian.") CHRISTCHURCH, August 16. A bicycle was missed from a shop in Manchester Street recently. A feudays later the owner saw it outside the Strand Theatre. The police were informed, and a watch kept, with the result that a twelve-year-old boy was arrested. A constable went home with the boy, where the mother, according to the constable, used the most abusive language. The boy appeared, in the Children's Court this morning, charged with the theft of the bicycle, Mr H. P. Lawry, S.M., presided, and with him were Mrs T. Greqn and Mr AV. M. West, Justices of the Peace. Senior-Sergeant o'Grady said that the boy had been most untruthful over the whole affair. The boy's mother used the vilest language to a constable when lie accompanied the boy home. "One can hardly realise," said the Senior-Sergeant, "that any mother would use such language 'in front of a child." , o „ "Where did you keep the bicycle? the Magistrate asked the boy. "At home?"—No; down a back street. A constable said that when.he went home with the boy the mother pushed the boy inside the door. He went inside also. The mother said to him: << police , why don't you go home and look after your own children?" She said that the police were always hounding her. The language went on for a quarter of an hour before witness could stop her. The mother: It's all lies. I never used obscene language in my life. I asked you inside when you called. I could stand in front of God and say I never used bad language. I always say civility costs nothing. The"'Magistrate: You weren't very civil to the Child Welfare Officer when he called?—Gracious me, I thought ho was another policeman. "The l>oy will have to go to a school for a time. I don't think he is getting a fair deal."'

"How long?" asked the mother. — That depends on how ho behaves. He is committed to the care of the Child Welfare Officer. "I don't want you to think that J am a woman who would use obscene language," said the boy's mother. "That has nothing to do with the case," said the Magistrate. The mother: The constable here will o-ct his day. ' The Magistrate: Don't make threats The mother: "Fair pay is bonny pav " "That will do now. That will do,' said the Magistrate finally.