THAMES NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9308, 11 March 1889, Page 6

THAMES NEWS.

[FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Thames, Saturday. A meeting of Justices of the Thames was held to-day in the Court house, with a view of memorialising Government in regard to the prevention and repression of juvenile offences. Six Justices were present, and Dr. Kilgour presided. After discussing the memorial which the Auckland Justices propose sending to Government on the same subject, it was resolved, " That no recommendation be made in regard to Bible-reading in schools, as well as in respect to the political disfranchisement of the parents of offending children ; but that juvenile offences now punishable under the Justices of the Peace Act and the Public Offences Act by line and imprisonment should be punishable by ■whipping ; by lining, the fines to be leviable on the parents ; by committal to reformatories, with a view to their being sent to a training or sea-going ship, or prepared for other occupations, the parents to be liable for the expense at the discretion of the justices; lining the parents for neglect ; that the compulsory clauses of the Education Act re attendance be universally enforced ; that adequate playgrounds to the public schools should be provided, and that night schools of a technical character should be provided. Dr. Kilgour and Messrs. Northcroft and Tizard were appointed a committee to draw up a report and submit it to a meeting of the Justices .to be held on the 23rd inst.

The Thames Rowing Club have accepted the tender of Messrs. Bagnall Brothers for supplying the timber for their new boatEhed, and will invite tenders at once for its erection.

The Rev. E. Hampden-Cook, of the Thames Congregational Church, has declined a call to the Congregational Church at Gisborne.

An effort has been made during the last few days, by those interested, to induce the Harbour Board to lower the somewhat excessive wharf dues at present levied on coal, but it, has been decided to defer action on the matter until the special Act to be introduced into Parliament next sesBion legalising the position of the Board is passed. . The adjourned case, Solomon Reid v. Meremana Konui, for alleged breach' of agreement by the latter in refusing to transfer to plaintiff' a land scrip valued at £30, on which a deposit of £5 had been paid, was concluded this morning by judgment being given for plaintiff for the amount claimed, £20, and £6 6s costs.