YOUTHFUL CRIMINALS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 157, 5 July 1899, Page 2

YOUTHFUL CRIMINALS.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—Following the impartation of a knowledge of the vital truths, the coun« sels, warnings, etc., as contained in Holy Scripture, and within the school hours, as a remedy (so far thereby.- Ast the enlightenment of the conscience of every child) comes the important matter of some definite evening occupation as a further means—a protective one. The curse of many of the colonial youttt is the tendency to evening idleness and vagrancy. Sometimes this is caused lot the smallness, as well as the untidiness, of the home. It is a thousand pities but that some .of the. extravagances {a expenditure of the present Government had not spared a worthy sum in aid of the Auckland Technical School, so that the youthful members of its classe* might, instead of being counted only by units, show many scores. Institutions of this class, whether of a more manual or mental character, really represent in a considerable degree the future of : the nation. Let such but•' show a . partial failure and flag, and the nation will eventually suffer in the same proportion; for evening vagrancy is ever a plentiful producer of crime, much practical proor of which is only too plainly seen. Ordlrw ary nightschools for male youth also act as a preventative, and are truly a. boon when well conducted. These often prove an incentive to youth to fol-

low on ih further progress, and, it in to be much regretted that the Board ot Education cannot supply the deficiency^ at least during the winter months, in each large district, also at a nominal fe* to those in attendance. There is littla doubt but that there are many otherwise promising lads . lost to themselves, as'

well as lost to society, from lack of' making some beneficial evehing start in either manual or mental occupation at the period of leaving school. A sad truth such, and Would that parents reV membered it better than many at. present seem to do.—l am, etc., _____ ■ N.Z. '