UNLICENSED NEWSPAPER BOYS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 12014, 15 October 1904, Page 2

UNLICENSED NEWSPAPER BOYS.

OASES IN COURT. Several small boys appeared before the Justices at the Magistrate's Court .yesterday upon charges of vending newspapers in the streets without possessing the necessary license.? issued by tho City Council. Roy and William OKJonnor, two in-telligent-looking boye of 14 and 13 years, admitted a charge of selling papers in Colombo street on October Bth .without being licensed so to do. Sub-Inspector Dwyer stated that the boys, who were in the fifth standard, went to school in the daytime, and sold papers at night, in order to assist their mother, who was a widow, to keep a largo family. At one time the boys did hold a license, but they had not renewed it. There had been an agitation in the Prees lately about children selling papers in the streets. Formerly, tho police cautioned tho parents, but as that did not have the desired effect, it was decided to bring the boya before the Court. Mr Maisey, City Council Inspector, stated that the boys"had taken out licensee eince the laying of the information. The mother of the boys said that she did not know that the licensee had to be renewed every year. , The Chairman of tho Bench, Mr W. H. Cooper, J.P., eoid that the case was an exceptional ono, fdr both boys were going to school, and were not neglecting their education. They would be convicted and discharged. John Quinn, a boy of 13, who buret into tears when the charge was read out to him, also pleaded guilty to selling pipers without a license. Jklr Mwssey said that the boy had since taken out a license. The Bench convicted and discharged the boy. James Patterson, aged 11, was the next boy charged with a similar offence. The father of the boy stated that Mr Massey had told his son about three montlis ago that a license was not required, as tho by-law was not being enforced. . "■ ■ ■ . In reply to a question from tho Bench, Mr Massey explained that it was understood at the time, when one or two applicants camo to him for licenses, that the by-law was not being enforced. ■ Mr R. C. Bishop, J.P.: Who gave instructions not to proceed with the bylaw? Mr Mas&y: Very few applications had been made since 1902. and it was understood that no more licenses were to *bo issued. , . Mr Bishop: You did not have direct instructions? ■ ' Mr Massey: No; all that happened before my time. Sub-Inspector Dwyer pointed out that there had been thr&o similar prosecutiona during the past six montlis, and the boys had all boen convicted and discharged. Mr Massey said that the boy had «mc& -taken out a license. Another conviction and discharge were recorded. Arthur Trudgeon, Uiirteon years, wae aleo convicted and discharged for a similar offence. , ' , William Linn, fourteen yeara, charged with selling papers without holding a license, did not appear. Sergeant Crawford gave evidence that the boy had been selling evening papers near the Clock Tower at half-pest three on the afternoon of tho sth. The Chairman said the case differed from the otliers, for no license had since been taken out. The defendant would be fined ss, without costs.