YOUNG GANGSTERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 37, 13 February 1926, Page 10

YOUNG GANGSTERS.

HEADING TOWARDS GAOL. FOOLISH ASHBURT.ON YOUTHS. (By Telegrapn.— Press Association.! - ASHBURTON, -Friday. ' "It is an awful state- of affairs that in a small community like Ashburton offences of this kind'have been com-j mitted almost with impunity," said Mr. j Mosley, S.M., when hearing 28 charges I of damage, theft, and breaking and j entering against four lads, aged 14 to 10; who appeared at the Juvenile Court. The police stated that a day-book stolen from a store contained statements j of debts totalling over £100. It had not | been recovered. The magistrate reduced the charges to simple theft. ' The police said one boy refused to make a statement for some time. Counsel said that the ringleader J of the gang, who was committed to the i Borstal Institute last week, had used, threats of violence id this boy if he divulged any information. The probation officer said the mother of one boy had come across a letter from the ringleader in which he stated he was going to become a "master cracksman." One boy elected to take a thrashing instead of "going away." The others were ordered eight strokes of the bircli, placed on two years' probation, and" ordered to make restitution for the , goods not recovered. , ■ ' \ , ~ Another lad of 17, not connected With the others, also appeared on., charges principally of damage to and theft from ! gas meters. This case was adjourned to allow inquiries to be made as to apprenticing him outside Asbimrton,