YOUTHS’ GOOD WORK

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 November 1943, Page 4

YOUTHS’ GOOD WORK

TRIBUTE FROM JUDGE.

AUCKLAND, November 18.

“The very great majority of young lads in this city and province during the present exceptional circumstances due to the war, have not only worked well, but have behaved well.” said Judge Fair, to-day, in sentencing two youths on a series of breaking and entering offences. Most young men have done good work and heavy work in essential industry and at home, and the community has reason to take just pride in their work and good behaviour in shops, workshops and factories. The fact that the great majority have behaved themselves in this way deserves public recognition on an appropriate occasion. When their fathers and brothers come back from fighting they will be able to say: ‘Well done. You’ve done your part while we were lighting abroad.’ ” The Judge said that other youths had succumbed to the temptations of wartime. The youths for sentence were Walter George Ker, 17, labourer, and Noel Joseph Forsyth, 18, waiter, for whom Mr. Allan Moody, counsel, made a strong plea for clemency because of their age' and the effect of radio and picture film rubbish in contributing to youthful folly. Mr. Cleal,' for the Crown, said the prisoners carried out a series of 19 offences within .four months. The total money taken was £BB. The property stolen was worth £ll6, of which £45 worth was not recovered. Both youths were committed to Borstal for two years.