JUVENILE COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 72, 24 March 1923, Page 5

JUVENILE COURT.

(Before .Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M.) STOLEN NYVEKTS. Four little hoys pleaded guilty to having stolen sweets from a factory. A window had lx>cn left open, through which the lads reached and abstracted handfuls ->f confectionery, about 20/ worth being taken in all. His Worship admonished the lads, and ordered them to make restitution. Next time they were brought to court they would hf whipped or perhaps sent to the receiving home. A lad who had stolen sonic chisels was also admonished and dicharged. A BCUCI.AK fiANO. i Six buys, three of tliem over the age of sixteen, and three of more tender years, were paraded before the magistrate to answer charges in respect .if burglaries from dwellings and the City Council office nt the Zoo. It was stated that the sum of i'"i(i fi/ represented tinvalue of property damaged or stolen, and property to the value of £12 H/il bad lieen recovered, so that the deficiency was approximately £44. The house of Mr. McGregor, at Ponsonbv. had been entered by the lads on five "different occasions, the linal call having been their undoing, since the occupier of the house was very much at home, and he caught them in the act. "It is a dreadful thing to have young boys like this going about breaking into houses and rubbing members of the community," said Mr. Poynton. "They --.re a had lot of boys, and if they arc allowed to go unchecked they will'develop into a hand of criminals. Then they would end up in gaol. They all deserve Hoggings, but 1 don't want to convict them, when so young. I could send them to the reformatory, hut 1 won't do that. They will have to make good every penny, even if it takes them seven years. One of the hoys, who earns 2f./ per week, will have to pay back -V weekly. The probation officer can lix the repayment instalments for those who earn less. Still, 1 don't care how long it takes, for restitution must be made. They will all come tip again in twelve months' time, and I shall see how they are complying with my order. It will go hard with them if they don't keep up their payments, and behave themselves."