LARRIKINS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2398, 9 December 1881, Page 3

LARRIKINS.

To the Editor of the Globe. Siß, —I have often contemplated expressing myself on this subject, but have from time to time put it off. However, the threatening letter to Mrs Hellish has determined me to take up my pen. When I was a youngster it was customary for any friend, neighbour or townsman to thrash any lad whom ha might catch misbehaving himself, and if the lad complained to his parents he generally got “It serves you right,” and if the lad was cheeky to his chastiser he got an extra lickiog. Now, In this day a lad can cheek yon and commit almost any amount of annoyance before your very door, and you dare not chastise him for fear of being palled (as it is called), and the lad would defy you and threaten to pull you if you touched him. You can only remonstrate, and get laughed at and hooted for your pains. If yon did chastise that cheeky brat, his parents would raise a storm and summon you, and, rather than be summoned, you leave that larrikin to grow stronger and stronger in crime.

If Mr Hellish and all other Magistrates would refuse to fine a man for thrashing an insolent, mischievous lad, I am persuaded that larrikiuism would soon visibly abate. 1 consider, also, the present style of teaching (exceptional cases), both in week day and Sunday schools, and In Band of Hope, Temperance, and other societies, where children are brought together to recite, sing, laugh, and lark, and of an almost utter neglect to instil into the minds of the children the Church of England Catechism tend to make both hoys and girls forward, cheeky, and larrikinists. Yours, &c., WM. PARKER. Christchurch, Deo. Sth.