CHILDREN'S COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 77, 31 March 1928, Page 11

CHILDREN'S COURT.

A SERIOUS CASE. YOUHG BOY COMMITTED. SEVERAL BOYS ADMONISHED.

A case presenting serious features was brought before the Children's Court this morning, when a lad aged about 14, pleaded guilty to having indecently •weaulted a girl of nine years. It was stated that the offence took place when the child was on her way to church one Sunday morning. Presiding were Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., and, sitting as special justices, Mrs. X. E. Ferner and Messrs. W. M. Jackson and H. T. Halliwell.

The boy appeared in company with his seventeen-year-old brother, who admit/ted six charges which involved theft, wilful damage and receiving stolen property. Three similar charges were admitted by the young brother. The offences took place at Henderson and Glen Eden.

The Court decided thai the case of the elder boy, who is just over 17, should be adjourned till 10 a.m. on Thursday, when it will be dealt with in the Magistrate's private room. Mr. Cupitt, .Probation Officer, said there was little control exercised over the younger boy. The mother of the lads told Mr. Cutten that she had never let the boys out at night. She had flogged them both a few days ago. "I have mothered them and fathered them, too, since the smaller boy was two years old," she B ® J d, "and I oan't understand their behaviour."

The Court took a grave view of the case, and it was decided that the boy be committed to the care of the Child Welfare Superintendent. He will be a ward of the State till 21.

An Expensive "Prank." Two panes of glass in the shop front of premises in Kairangwhape Road were scratched from side to side, making their replacement a necessity, when a sixteen-year-old lad walked by holding a piece of broken glass against the panes. A shop assistant ran out and caught the boy, who pleaded guilty today to having wilfully damaged the windows. The glass was valued at £50, and it is estimated that the shopkeeper will have to pay at least £70 to replace the panes. "You are old enough to know better," said Mr. Cutten, who placed the lad under tihe care of the Welfare Department Superintendent for a period of two years.

Bathers' Clothes Rifled. A nine-year-old boy who abstracted a shilling from a bather's trousers in the Point Chevalier dressing sheds, and spent it on biscuits and lemonade, was committed to the care of the Superintendent of Child Welfare. He thus becomes a ward of the State.

Another lad, aged 15, who took a tobacco pouch, 6d and other trifles, valued in all at 3/6, rrom a bather's clothes at Shelly Beach, promised not to offend again. Mr. Cut ten said it would be just as well if the Welfare Officer were to see him occasionally, and made an order to that effect, which will hold good for two years.

"A Sudden Temptation." WRh big tears running down her ,face a girl of 13 Admitted that she had stolen three books and money, valued at 35/, from a shop. She could give Mr. Cutten no reason for her action, and the female Probation Officer described the offence as being due to a sudden temptation. The girl was admonished and discharged. Several small boys clattered in to plead guilty to having damaged a shed in Grey Lynn Park to the extent of 30/. It was stated that they had "run all over it" during the absence of the caretaker. All were admonished and discharged. Their parents will have to make good the damage, the necessary order having been made by Mr. Cutten.