THE JUVENILE COURT.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVI, Issue 233, 1 October 1912, Page 5

THE JUVENILE COURT.

THEFT OE A BRIDLE

Two brothers, one thirteen a*id tL© other ten years of age, were charged before Mr R. S. Florance, S.M., in the Juvenile Court to-day with the theft of a bridle, valued at los, the property of James Benning. Mr G. M. Spence appeared for the accused, and their father was present.

Sergeant Hanson explained! that, going along Tennis Court Lane on the 21st of September, the boys took the bridle from a post on Mr Benning's property, and concealed it in a fence. Abouti a week later they used the bridle in an escapade in which they captured Mr J. Flood's horse, riding it about the streete on two occasions and turning it adrift. Mr Flood informed the police of the disappearance of his horse,, and a constable sheeted the offence home to the accused, who were arrested. . The horse and the bridle were recovered. The boys could not be criminally prosecuted for the misappropriation of the horse, but were now charged with the theft of the bridle.

Having taken the evidence of J. Hickey as to the ownership of the bridle, the Magistrate intimated that he proposed to commit the accused to an industrial institution.

Mr Spence said that a sister of the accused had already been committed to H Home by the Magistrate, and, the circumstances of the parents not being affluent, the committal of. the boys would impose a considerable hardship on the father. He asked that the father be allowed to take the elder boy put into the country and keep him under his personal supervision. In all their escapades the younger boy was influenced by the elder one, arid, if they * were separated, as suggested, they: would be under effective control.

Tbo father also urged that this course be adopted. Sergeant Hanson said that he could not advise that the case be dealt with in this manner. H© pointed out that the children had been giving a lot of trouble to the police. Only •on the 22th of last month, tlie same boys were reprimanded by the Magistrate tor breaking atrd entering St. Patrick's Hall and stealing a. trifle and same lemonade; and a few months ago the younger lad was concerned in th*l theft of a w-arch and chain.

His Worship expressed himself as averse to allowing the boys to remain at; .large without "strict restraint. He doubted, whether either of them could be properly controlled in the way suggested. He had no confidence in the mother's methods.

After some discussion, his Worship decided to remand the accused' for three days, so that inquiries might be made as to whether they would be received at the Weraroa training farm, where they wonld not be brought into _ contact with directly criminal associations such as were connecte3 with the Burnham Industrial School. He would further consider the case when he had this information.

His Worship originally direetied that the boys remain in custody in the meantime; but. on-the application of. Mr Spence, sakl he would allow bail, if an approved surety of £30 were forthcoming. . .