A WARNING TO PARENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12266, 9 May 1903, Page 2 (Supplement)

A WARNING TO PARENTS.

It would not be easy to exaggerate the farreaching impoi tance of the first two convic—one at the North London and the other at the Southwark Police Court— der the Youthful Offenders Act, as warnings to parents who ignore their responsibility for the criminal acts of their children. In the former case a fifteen-year-old girl was proved guilty of stealing a purse, and ib was clearly established that her parents, although they were aware that she was not at work, saw' her bring home ornamental articles without inquiring whether or not they were paid for. In the latter, four boys were charged with stealing wood, their parents in each instance denying all knowledge of the thefts. In both cases the parents of the offenders were, under the provisions of the Act already quoted, detained in the places of the culprits. The pertinent section enacts that where a parent or guardian has conduce-! to the commission of the child's offence by wilful default, or by habitually neglecting to exercise due care over the youngster, the Court may order that the tine, damages, or costs shall be paid by the parent or guardian instead of by the youthful offender, and that, where deemed desirable, the parent or guardian shall give security for the future good behaviour of •the juvenile convicts. The North London magistrate fined the little pickpocket 40s, which her father, after being ordered to take her place in the dock, paid. At Southwark the boys were liberated and the parents were, detained until the fine and costs were, in each case, discharged.