A FATHER PROSECUTING HIS SON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7824, 18 December 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

A FATHER PROSECUTING HIS SON.

A MAGISTRATE ON PARENTAL DUTY. At the Southwark Police Court Charles Shaw, aged 11, of 44, Gainsford-street, Horselydown, a well-grown boy, was placed in the dock charged with stealing half-a-crown, the property of his father, William Shaw. The prosecutor, on presenting himself iii tho witness box, was asked by the magistrate whether he seriously meant to prosecute hie own son, and perhaps be instrumental in his ruin. Prosecutor replied that he really had no other alternative. He had done all he could, and forgiven him again and again, and he had repeatedly robbed him, atxyed out late at night with a number of loose companions, and was perfectly beyond oontrol. Mr. Saunders: What! a little fellow like this ? Why don't you chastue him? Pruaeoutor : I have done so repeatedly, and it's all of no avail. Mr. Sauudera : Where did he take the money from T Prosecutor : From the mantlepiece. Mr. Saundere: If he has these pilfering tendencies, why do you leave money about to tempt him ? Prosecutor : Well, we don't if we can help it; but it's hard one can't put money down in one's own house. Mr. Saunders : Yon see this all cornea of not bringing up a child properly. If you had done so, this would not have occurred. The prosecutor : I can assure your Worship I have done all I can, and that he's quite beyond my control. Mr. Saunders : Oh, staff and nonsense. I'm not going to saddle the country with the expense of keepiug this boy in prison, and the authorities to the trouble of doing what the father ought to do. You must take him away and try and bring him np better in the future. The magistrate then seriously cautioned the boy, and discharged him.