JUVENILE OFFENDERS.

Auckland Star, Volume 198, Issue LVII, 21 August 1926, Page 13

JUVENILE OFFENDERS.

DETERRENT OF PUBLICITY. THE PIT— — IC INTEREST. WAXGAXUI CASE TO BE OPEX. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") WANGANUI, this day. At a sitting of the Child Welfare Court this morning, at which Mr. J. S. Barton, S.M., presided, and Detective Revell appeared for the police, a youth was charged with theft.

The facts outlined indicated that the offence was not an isolated one, and that the elements of breaking and entering were present.

The presiding magistrate asked Detective Revell if this case bore any of the features present in numerous theft cases recently before the Child Welfare Court, and, receiving an affirmative answer, asked what attitude the police would take towards a proposal to order that a report of the proceedings be published in the public interests.

Detective Revell stated his opinion that it was highly desirable the matter should be reported. He said he was of opinion that the fact that no reports were appearing made the work of the police more difficult, and might even encourage crimes of this sort. He pointed out that a boy inclined to this class of offence was without the deterrent that would be afforded by the knowledge that other boys who did so were caught and punished.

Mr. McEldowney, child welfare officer, agreed that, in the public interest, the matter should be reported as far as the Act permitted. The accused lad was then remanded to appear on Wednesday next, and the magistrate made an order that the proceedings be open to the Press representatives.