DISTRICT TERRORISED

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 21 January 1930, Page 4

DISTRICT TERRORISED

ESCAPADES OF YOUTHS. MARAUDERS WITH FIREARMS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) MASTER-TON, Jan. 20. Stating the circumstances which led to th© charges of theft against the two youths who appeared in the Children’s Court to-day, Constable Sleetli, of Martin borough said the lads were employed on adjoining farms in the Pirinoa district. On the night of January 10 they were proceeding to the pictures when they- suddenly decided to abscond. A store was orouen into and two oicyeles were taken.

Two days later they broke into a wliare, a pacit of earns being cut to decide who should go inside.

On January 12 they broke into a shed and stole two nries, some ammunition and an axe. T'he yout(hs broxe into the house of a former employer and one of the boys took supplies of bread, butter, tea and sugar and wrote the following on the wall: •‘We thank you, dear Joe, for what wo have borrowed. We will always have a bullet ready lor you. x x x — Phillip and Brown-”

It was stated that two families had become frightened and vacated their houses while the boys were at large. Neither of the boys have had a very fair spin in their position,” stated the JProbation Officer. Instead of writing and making complaints to the Department they decided to take the matter into their own hands. Lt was stated that during a period of being licensed out on service the boys had given trouble and it was previously recommended that both be returned to Weraroa.

The magistrate, addressing the boys, said that their escapade could lead to only one thing—the court. What they had done brought discredit on other Weraroa lads who were making good. “It will all depend on your behaviour, whether or not you will go to the Borstal commented liis Worship, in recommitting the boys to Weraroa.