DIMINUTIVE DELINQUENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 59, 10 March 1923, Page 11

DIMINUTIVE DELINQUENTS.

THRASHINGS ORDERED. A RUNAWAY JUVENILE. Three juvenile offenders were paraded before Air. J.. W. Poynton, S.M., this morning. The,first was a little fellow who could scarcely understand what was said to him, "Hold your hand up," said the magistrate, addressing the diminutive delinquent by his Christian name. "And now promise that you will not steal or disobey j your mother again. If you break your promise you will have to be taken right away from your mother, and you will get a whipping. So be a good boy. Good-bye." Tearfully the little chap promised, and toddled off, led by his mother. "This, "sir, is a said the sergeant, when an even smaller cixild, with big, innocent eyes, was ushered into the courtroom, with many a timid glance at the tall policeman. The announcement evoked some amusement, the child being little better than an infant in arms. At nil events, his testimony was not required, and his little voice was not heard. When the name of another juvenile was called. Sergeant Rowell announced that the offender had "done the disappearing trick." The lad, who was "wanted" for thefts in the Domain pavilwas at home all the week, but he evidently feared to face the magistrate this morning, and at an early hour he was seen making for the Domain, to seek refuge from justice. Since he had twice eluded the ordeal of going to Court, tbe magistrate said that nonsense of this kind could not be allowed to continue. A warrant would be issued, and the boy would be arrested as soon as the police located him.

Xext came two boys, one a European, aged 13, and the other a Chinese, of more tender years. They were concerned in thefts from a warehouse. The Europenn, it was said, had indulged in the reading of "literature" of Deadwood Dick" type, and he had seen too many sensational pictures. He bnd been before the Court twice before. The Chinese was described as an industrious lad. who had been before the Court for settine off fireworks in the street. He was kept, under strict control by his pirents. and seldom went away .from his home, except on errands and to- school. His father had already soundiv thrashed him.

Mr. Poyn*on said he did not wish to place the stimua of "thief" upon either lad. The cases would be adjourned for a fortnicht. pud a mnvietion micht no( he entered if "»e o-obation reported that each lad had been soundly thrashed.