ROAMING THE STREETS

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 117, 20 May 1933, Page 14

ROAMING THE STREETS

UNCONTROLLED YOUTHS.

MISCHIEF IN NAPIER. I (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) NAPIER, Friday. The apparent lax control of parents over large numbers of children of varying ages who arc allowed to roam the streets after dark was discussed by the Hawke's Bay Education Board to-day, as the outcome of a resolution passed by the Napier Central School Committee. The secretary, Mr. W. L. Dunn, said the whole question had been brought up as a result of the arrest of an organisation known as the "Skeleton Bats," some of whom had been pupils of the Napier Central School.

One member suggested that a letter be sent to all teachers urging that they impress upon children the necessity of looking after and protecting their own property.

Mr.'T. A. Morland, senior inspector: That is brought before the children day in and day out.

The Rev. F. L. Frost: One of the most serious features of the position is the fact that probably 300 boys who should be receiving secondary education are instead idling their time away. You see them on the wharves and jetties and on the streets. Before the earthquake, there were some 900 boys at Napier secondary schools. The population has not decreased, but there are now only about 500.

Other members said all kinds of youths in the hobbledehoy stage were let loose after tea time, and they were not all children of unemployed.

The Rev. R. Waugh said, that on any night njobs of boys and girls 'were wandering about the streets. They had nothing to do and were bound to get into mischief. They did not stay at home, and even as late as eleven o'clock at night they could be seen on the streets. The children should be taught to play in their homes, but home did not appeal to the modern youth.

On the suggestion of the senior inspector, it was decided to leave the matter in his hands to bring before the notice of teachers personally.