FIVE YOUNG PIRATES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 84, 8 April 1922, Page 11

FIVE YOUNG PIRATES.

TACRXE KETCH AT TAKAPTTNA. SHORT-LIVID LICENSE. An auxiliary ketch anchored off Takapuna was recently commandeered by five young lads, who boarded the craft whilst the tide was low and hoisted a pointed handkerchief for their flag. Possibly. they were only prevented from putting to sea and turning proper pirates by their inability to weigh anchor and set sail. However, they broke into the forehatch and entered the cabin, taking full possession of the craft in the absence of its owner, Mr. James Robinson, and spent much of their time in the snug lair. When they finally abandoned ship they took several useful articles, including paint and brushes, rope and tools with them, some of which were afterwards recovered. Their adventure culminated this morning with their appearance in the Children's Court before Mr. Poynton, S.M., when they were charged with having stolen the articles enumerated, one of their number, a lad much older than the rest, being also accused o f doing malicious damage to the ketch to the extent of £2. All the lads pleaded guilty, and they were discharged after being admonished and ordered to pay the value of the pirated goods and the damage done to the craft. A novel promise was exacted by Mr. Poynton before he discharged the young pirates. Holding up their right hands they repeated this formula: "I promise to steal no more and to do what I am told by my parents." " THEFT OF PADDLES. Another youngster, aged 13. a ward of the State, was charged with having stolen two pairs of paddles. As Sergeant Rowell observed, "there was something at the back of this boy's head." He took the paddles to a shed at the home "of his foster-mother and painted them so that they might not be identified. This young hopeful was admonished and discharged on promising to behave himself for the future.