"THIS GANG QUESTION."

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 102, 2 May 1930, Page 9

"THIS GANG QUESTION."

YOUTH ON ASSAULT CHARGE. PLEA BY MISSIONER. • "I am informed that this fellow is the making of a thorough young hoodlum and larrikin," said Sub-Inspector Shanahan concerning a thick-set youth, who pleaded guilty .to assault at the Police Court this morning. Mr. Shanahan said the complainant was only 16, while defendant was almost 19. Defendant was accompanied by a number of other youths at 8.30 p.m! on March 31 last, when they met complainant. Defendant asked the other youth for a cigarette, complainant telling him that he had none. '"Don't tell me any lies," said defendant, who struck the other youth and knocked him down on the footpath. Complainant was knocked out, and had to be attended to. The sub-inspector said the youth before the Court had previously been warned by the police about his conduct. The Rev. Jasper Calder made a plea for the defendant. "I think the whole thing was a show of temper when he was done out of a cigarette," he said. "We social workers have recently had a little meeting to discuss this gang question,' and if your Worship will adjourn this case it will give the boy a chance. He is already doing well, and belongs to a club. The trouble is that some, of these youths have too much time on their hands." Mr. Hunt agreed to adjourn the case for six months and to order the suppression of defendant's name. The youth was ordered to pay witnesses' expenses, 12/6. "There is an old hymn which savs something about 'Satan will find mischief still for the idle hands to do/" said Mr. Calder. "Well, give him some work to do," replied the magistrate.