JUVENILE COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 152, 28 June 1924, Page 5

JUVENILE COURT.

(Before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M.) MORE THAN A JOKE. A lad of 15 pleaded guilty to a charge laid under the Post and Telegraph Act of having sent false messages over the telephone. Senior-Detective Hammond said that the boy was employed by a lirra of carriers in the city, and in his spare time he sent bogus messages by phone to other carriers instructing them to send carts and lorries to various firms. In consequence of this one young lady was dismissed for incompetence, while others got into serious trouble —all through, the depredations of the boy. The Jux'Cllile Probation Officer (Mr. Cupitt) said that accused was not really a bad boy. He would keep an eye on him. Mr. Hunt: A jokc*a a joke, but this is past a joke. After severely admonishing the lad the Magistrate discharged him. OF THE LARRIKIN TYPE. "This boy wears one of those big caps and rolls his socks down over his boots. He is of the larrikin type, like some of them up Newton way," said the Senior Detective of another boy of 15 who admitted having stolen a letter and contents valued at «10/, and a postal note valued at 5/. Mr. Hammond added that the lad was previously before the Court on similar charges* and was then placed on probation. The present charges occurred previously. The Probation Officer said that since admitted to probation the boy had con ducted himself well. If he was placed on probation for a further term he would be looked after. The father of the boy made a remark about the boy's trousers, in reply to thi detective's statement about his dress being akin to the larrikin type. Mr. Hunt: Trousers! If lie comes u[ before mc again I will order them to bi pulled down, and he will get the birch. \ On the Magistrate being assured that accused would be sent to a trade immediately, be ordered him a further twelve months' probation. AN INGENIOUS THIEF. Still another boy of the age of 13 re-' mained to be dealt with. The charges against him were that he did steal sums of 13/ and 7/ti, and did fail to account for the proceeds of the sale of programmes, race books, etc., of a total of £9 8/. Sergeant Rowell said that the boy was ,1 clever-brained boy, and the methods he adopted were ingenious. lie had sold programmes and race books, and had failed to account for the proceeds. Also on one of the football grounds he xvent to one of the men at the turnstile and told him that another man, stationed on another turnstile xvanted 15/. He was handed the money, and then pocketed it. Accused was working for a stallkeeper at the Winter Show, and obtained money from him by stating that another stallkeeper wanted it. The boy's father was away in the King Country, while his mother did not have much control over him. Mr. Matthews, who appeared for the boy, said that txvo years ago accused was the victim of a motor oar accident in Karangahape Road, and had received an injury to his head. If given a chance the boy would lie sent to a trade, and would also be sent to a night school. Sergeant Rowell added that the lad had been expelled from his school on account of his bail behaviour. When he was at school the pupils' property was not safe. Mr. Cupitt (Juvenile Probation Officer) said that he regretted not being able to say a good word for the boy. However, he would do bis best to reform him. The Magistrate placed accused on twelve months' probation, and ordered him to be detained in the Auckland Probation Home for the first three month*. An order was made for restitution amounting to £10 10/.