SECOND OFFENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 29, 4 February 1935, Page 3

SECOND OFFENCE.

YOUNG WOMAN'S: CASE

OBJECTION TO BORSTAL. PROTEST BY COUNSEL. Alleging that young women who committed offences, not of a very serious nature, were more harshly punished than men, Sir. A. Hall Skelton, in the Police Court 10-day, made a strong appeal for a young woman whom the Probation Officer considered should be sent to the Borstal for two years. Tho accused was Margaret Whale, aged 22, a -waitress, and she pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing a camera valued at :C3, at Wellington in February of last year, and a coat, pair of stockings, and 3/0 in money, of the, total value- of £1 18/11, at Auckland on January 25. Senior Detective llaill explained that tho firrit charge was the original charge upon which the young -woman was admitted to twelve months' probation at Wellington. Respecting the other charge, she had secured n> position at ;vn Auckland boardinghouse on January '&, but only stayed one night. She, stole tho clothes'and the money from another employee- who shared the same room. Probation Officer Advises Borstal. Major Annie Gordon, women's probation ollicer, said "Whale, after being admitted to probation in Wellington, was transferred to Ohakune, where her parents resided. Tho Wellington probation officer had reported that Whale was an unsatisfactory and untruthful probationer. "J. know this young woman's parents," said Major Cordon. "They are most respectable ' people, and I have letters in my possession from both telling mo that they have, tried to help their "daughter in every way possible, but she would not respond. They now say that nothing more can be clone. She camo to Auckland with a married man who je living apart from his wife. She herself is not yet 22, and she is a married woman with one. child. She is not living with her husband. I myself have done my very best to help her, but it is of no iise. I have taken a lot of trouble with her, and have talked to her for hours, trying to persuade her to give up the life she hue, been leading. I am now quite- convinced that in her own interests she should be sent to the Borstal for two years."

Mr. Skelton said that his client had never really had a chance in life. "Her parents are Salvationists, and for their own convenience, they put her in a Salvation Army home when she was young, added counsel. "She says she was treated as if she was a prisoner, although she had done nothing wrong at the time. She became rebellious and left. This girl is to be pitied. She has not had the love and affection that other girls have cnioved She is an inexperienced girl who deserves helping, not by being put away in a Bostal institution for two years for her second offence. When very young she was married, and after her toby was born her husbnnd left her. If ehe is sent to tho Borstal tho idea that she is a social rebel may be developed in her mind, and her spirit will be broken. Plea for Another Chance. Mr Skelton said that if the young woman were put away in a Borstal home for two years, the punishment would far exceed the crime. It seemed to him that young women these days were more .severely dealt with by the Courts than were criminals. lie had known cases where men with several previous convictions for theft had been lined or admitted to probation. Counsel mentioned the. name of an Auckland woman who offered accused a position at £1 10/ per week, and he asked that she should be given another chance. Mr. McKcau: Apart from this offence, Mr Skelton, there seem to be other particular matters to be taken into consideration. The girl appears to have had a, good home. Her parents now say that they cannot help her any more. Major Gordon repeated that she considered it would be in the best interests of the girl herself if she were sent to the Borstal. She would not have to remain there tho full two years. Very few inmates actually served the full term. "I am the last to suggest that young women should be sent to Borstal if it can be avoided, but in this case I think it is necessary."

The magistrate then asked Mr. Skelton if the woman who had offered accused work would be prepared to appear in Court. Upon counsel's agreeing to' ask her to be present on Friday, the magistrate remanded Whale for sentence until that day.