BOYS IN TROUBLE.

Grey River Argus, 27 June 1922, Page 8

BOYS IN TROUBLE.

SEVEN CHARGED WITH THEFT.

There was a sitting of the Juvenile Court yesterday before Mr W. Meldrum, S.M., when, seven small boys were charged with breaking into the shop of Benjamin Dixon, anj stealing 1 herefrom cash and goods to tho value of £4 .Ils 6d.

Most of the boys admitted being there to the Clerk’s question, one boy saying he had waitea outside. Detective Young outlined the facts, and said 10/6 had not been recoveredFour of the boys also confessed having raided Bennington’s shop and taking therefrom soft drinks, etc. to the value of 5/-. Two of the admitted taking a small sum of money from some footballers’ clothes in the Park. Another boy admitted the theft of a wristlet watch from the State School. The watch had been damaged. The Detective said one of the boys had some previous convictions and appeared to be the ringleader. Some of the others had also been in Court before charged with respect to tho theft of grapes from Mr KettßT’s, and with various other thefts. He would suggest that the best way to deal with ike most of the boys would be to order them a thrashing with a birch rod. The parent of one of tho boys said since the “grapes’’ affair, he had kept a close watch on his uoy) and could give no explanation as to how the lad had got into the escapades. The mother of another boy said it was on Sundays, when her son had the most freedom, that the mischief was committed. She was arranging for her son to be scut to a homo at Nelson. Another of the boys was under her care, and she was sending him to Christchurch. She seemed reluctant to consent to a thrashing by the police. Tho Bench said these criminal actions bv boys were becoming too common. There was provision by Juvenile Courts in order that, children should escape the brand of hardened criminals. The parents were not exercising sullieicnt control over those in Court. They should get a thrashing such as would drive every thought of such actions from their minds. The bojs who were, up for the first time would be ordered a severe thrashing. They would be discharged. One parent advised they should bo obliged to report weekly to tho police. With regard to the worst boys, their cases were adjourned for three months. Adjournments were also made in the three other eases, the parents consenting to administer severe thrashings in all eases. The parents were ordered to make restitution for all that, had not been recovered, in accordance with the amounts taken by each boy.