BIRCH FOR A BOY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15730, 3 October 1914, Page 2 (Supplement)

BIRCH FOR A BOY

PAWNED FATHER'S CLOTHES

"I have never heard a worse record," confessed the magistrate at Marylebone after listening to the doings of Charles Gill, a small hoy aged 16, of bright and healthy appearance, who was charged with sleeping out on Parliament 'Hill Fields without visible means of subsistence. Evidence was given of thefts at his home, and that lie pawned his father's clothes whilst the latter was in hospital. His father, who worked at Isleworth, could do nothing with him. "Is his father a strong man?" asked the magistrate significantly- The woman replied that she herself had suggested a (rood hiding, but the father replied that the boy was wicked enough to go to the National Society for the Preventbn of Cruelty to Children if he were thwhed.

In my opinion," said the magi-tat

" the father ought to < give him. a thorough hiding. The society would not dream of interfering; thev would think, as I do, thai it was his right and proper course of action."

At the request of the magistrate the father was sent for, and was advised by the magistrate to give the lad a good caning. "If I do," urged the father, " the society will be on to me."

The magistrate replied that if he were brought there for doing so as he suggested ha should dismiss the case.