SEVEN “BAD LITTLE BOYS” IN NORTHERN ESCAPADE

Grey River Argus, 17 December 1948, Page 6

SEVEN “BAD LITTLE BOYS” IN NORTHERN ESCAPADE

P.A. WHANGAREI, Dec. 16.. Seven boys—one European and six Maoris—ranging in age from 11 to 15 years appeared in the Kawakawa Court yesterday on 26 charges of breaking and entering shops and residences at Moerewa and Kawakawa. and theft therefrom, the value of the money and property taken being about £5O. The polioie stated that the boys worked together, and that entrance to the building had been obtained by forcing a window lock at night, crawling through a seven-inch space under the door, and by the use of keys. One shop was entered three times on the same night. Two of the boys broke and entered a dwelling at Moerewa and took away money and goods valued at £2O, after having taken armchairs and consumed beer and lemonade found in a cupboard. The police said that most of the loot had been recovered, but soine was hidden in a secret cache which the boys refused to disclose. The police have ascertained that the boys had no intention of ceasing operations, and the welfare superintendent agreed that there was a serious outbreak of delinquincy. Three of the boys were committed to the care of the Child Welfare Superintendent, one with a recommendation for admission to a training centre. Two others were placed under the supervision of the District Child Welfare Officer for two years, and another for one year’s supervision. The youngest was admonished and discharged. “You are seven bad little boys. If I met any more bad little boys in Kawakawa, they will wish they had never met me,” the Magistrate said when delivering judgment to the boys who were lined up before him in the order of their ages.