YOUTHFUL MARAUDERS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 19 August 1925, Page 5

YOUTHFUL MARAUDERS.

COLLECT BOTTLES TO SELL. REQUEST IN COURT. . A foolish escapade, during which three Kaponga boys, whose ages ranged from 12 to 15 years, forced an entry into the Kaponga Town Hall to collect bottles which they intended turning into cash, had its sequel in the Juvenile Court at E tham on Tuesday, when the trio appeared before Air A. Al. Allowlem. b.AC, to jointly answer charges of having stolen 19 bottles of cordial, four bottles of pert wine and 41 empty, cordial bottles, valued at £1 17s. The boys, who all pleaded guilty, were given a stern warning by the magistrate, and the case was adjourned liir six months, the defendants being instructed .that if their behaviour remained satisfactory during that period nothing further would be heard ■ f the matter. ■»

As detailed by Constable O’Donoghue, the circumstances were that at about 7 a .in. on the 6th inst. , the boys, knowing a function had taken place in the had on the previous evening, had gone to see what thev (mild find. The two younger boys had -climbed in through a window, admitted their comnanion through the door, and the three had decamped with the articles mentioned. When interviewed, they : had admitted the theft, but denied drinking the contents of any .of the bottles. They said they intended pouring the wineout and selling the bottles. All the missing property bad subsequently been restored* with the exception of two bottles of wine, the value of which, would be refunded by the boys’ parents. Replying to the magistrate, the boys expressed penitence, and promised they would not steal again. They were then dealt with as detailed above.