YOUTHS WITH TOO MUCH MONEY

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 8, 4 October 1941, Page 5

YOUTHS WITH TOO MUCH MONEY

Comment By Magistrate “It is one of the singular tragedies of today that young men, supplied with almost unlimited money, seem to think of nothiug else than drinking or dancing,” said Mr. A. M. Goulding, S.M., in the Magistrates’ Court, Petone, yesterday, when commenting on a case, where two youths, aged 18 and 19, were charged with the theft of liquor from a car parked near a dance hall. They did not realize their duty to their own homes and the parents who had committed sacrifices for their sakes, he continued. They had too much money and got into idle ways. Mr. N. T. Gillespie, appearing for oue of the youths, said that some years ago he pleaded the case of some young .men, and had spoken of “the tragedy of unemployment” ; today he wished to plead the catastrophe of employment. Actually, one of Ihe boys, he said, was earning between £5 and £6 a week. The young meu, Brian Roderick Crawford and Don Seiwood, were attending a dance on September 26. They noticed a quantity of liquor on a ear seat, worked the window down, and removed the liquor, which they and another youth consumed.

The following night at another dauce Seiwood aud the third youth were apprehended by the owners of the liquor. The case of Crawford was adjourned for a fortnight, (o see if, as bis counsel (Mr. D. M. Dickson) suggested, he could go into a Territorial camp and remain there till called for overseas service.

Seiwood, an apprentice hairdresser, was convicted and placed on probation for 18 months, with the stipulation that he was not to indulge iu liquor during that lime or attend dances for 12 months. Seuior-Sergeant H. D. C. Wade conducted the prosecution and Mr. N. T. Gillespie appeared for Seiwood. An application on behalf of Seiwood for the suppression of his name was refused, Mr. Goulding stating that the Court took a very stern view of these cases.