YOUTHFUL THIEVES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17234, 9 August 1919, Page 8

YOUTHFUL THIEVES.

BOYS' "POULTRY CLUB."

LEADING DOUBLE LIVES.

MAGISTRATE ORDERS BIRCH.

[BY TEUSGBATK. OWN COBRESPONDENT.

DUNEDIN, Friday.

Seven boys, whose ages ranged froiq, 12 to 14 years, were before the Juvenile Offenders' Court this morning en charges of stealing fowls and ducks from Herman Sonntag.

! The sub-inspector's story was to the : effect that these boys had been in the habit of going out in the cart with Mr. l Sonntag, delivering poultry, flowers, fruit, I etc., and getting cash for them. They also picked apples for him, and were given about Is a day each and their dinners. On different occasions during the absence of the complainant they had stolen the fowls and ducks, and in the case of two of the elder boys, had shown considerable cunning in disposing of them. These ringleaders had rung up a poultry dealer, saying that a lady, who was vacating her house wished to sell her poultry. He agreed to take them at Is Sd each, and the poultry were delivered and paid for. the money being divided among the boys. Mr. Axelsen said all the lads came from respectable homes. The parents of some of the boys charged complained that the fault lay with Mr. Sonntag, who, they said, enticed some 20 or 30 boys out to his place and gave them work to do, paying them Is for the day. His Worship uaid the case disclosed -tpiita a bad state of affairs. These lade

*"uad evidently devised a regular scheme, a [sort of poultry club, and had had a good ; time on the proceeds of their theft. They | had been leading double lives, for it was evident their parents knew nothing of •what was going on. He must take steps to impress the seriousness of the matter upon them, and upon others who might be tempted to act similarly. The two older lads, who "tWfea named as the ringleaders, were ordere&"'"So receive each six strokes of/the birch on one charge, and were convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon on the other. The remaining bdys-r-with the exception of the smallest, who was admonished and discharged— convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when c&Hed upon. In the meantime they are to be placed under the 6ur>J*y } of the juvenile probation officer! "They were a'so ordered to be chastised by their parents, the fitter to pay the value of the stolen property (£4 15s) in five equal parts. In giving his decision me magistrate commented upon the ,lot price paid to the boys for the poultry njg&ibe dealer.