Feilding Youth in Trouble

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 144, 21 June 1939, Page 3

Feilding Youth in Trouble

SEVERE STRICTURES FROM BENCH ADMITTED TO PROBATION FOR TWO YEARS Described by Mr. R. M. Watson, S.M., as a “degenerating drunken larrikin,” a youth was yesterday admitted to two years’ probation on charges of theft and of committing wilful damage to private property. The Magistrate, in announcing that he would grant probation upon strict terms, said that he had seriously contemplated sending him to a Borstal institution for a period of 18 months, but counsel’s plea had decided him to give defendant another chance. The defendant was charged with the theft of several articles of food from the restaurant of T. Borich in Feilding, and also with wilfully damaging a boat belonging to J. Allen, of Feilding.

Sergeant Turner said that defendant had given cause for considerable anxiety and his conduct generally had not been good at all. Although under 21 years of age, he had been able to get liquor and had over-indulged. Ho had been before the Court previously. For tho defendant, who pleaded guilty, Mr. J. Graham said that his parents were honourable people and they had requested him to plead for the boy. His trouble was undoubtedly due to liquor, on taking which he became irresponsible. lie suggested that the cases could be met by a strict term of probation.

In addressing defendant, the Magistrate issued a warning that if defendant did not pull himself together, he would realise where ho would end up. If ho would try and help himself he would find others willing to assist him. Admitting him to two years’ probation, Mr. Watson said that defendant would be required to report to the police every fortnight. He was not to go to dance halls or other places at night, and was not to bo out after 9 p.m. without the permission of the police. He was to make good the damage done and to refund the cost of the stolen goods, while on attaining the age of 21 years on July 31, he would be required to take out a prohibition order. “Now don’t forget that you are degenerating into a drunken larrikin and you must pull yourself together,” concluded the Magistrate.