NEW YEAR'S PRANK

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 15, 18 January 1930, Page 8

NEW YEAR'S PRANK

TWO BOYS ADMONISHED

As a conclusion to festivities, two youths, after having "done the town" on New Year's Eve, took a small motor-car, parked in Hataitai, and drove round to Lyall Bay and Island Bay. The owner, however, caught them in. the can, and proceedings were taken against them. The name of tho older of the two boys was called in the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, but iD view of tho fact that the other boy was to appear in the Juvenile Court, it was decided to dispose of both cases in tho Juvenilo Court this morning. Both boys pleaded guilty to charges of having converted a motor-car, valued at £170, to their own use, and of having driven without a licence.

Detective-sergeant Holmes said that both boys were quite frank when interviewed. They came from very good homes, and had had a very good upbringing. "No damage was done to the car," added Mr. Holmes. "We rtgard tho affair-as more in tho nature of a prank than anything else."

After counsel (Mr. N. Foden and Mr. C. O'Regan) had addressed the Court, tho Magistrate (Mr. T. B. McNeil) said that what tho boys had dono was apparently a New Year's prank, but like many other pranks it had been carried too far.. So far as tho younger boy was concerned, he thought the case would bo well met if ho admonished and discharged him on both charges. With regard to the other boy, although he might be stretching tho powers ho had under the Justices of tho Peace Act far, he would dismiss the charges against him.

"I wish it to bo distinctly understood, however," said Mr. McNeil, "that I take this action solely to give him a chance, on account of his excellent record and his very manly attitude when ho was approached regarding tho car.''

Mr. McNeil also said he thought it was a case iv which tho older boy's namo should be suppressed, but the Press had permission to publish the facts of the case.