DRINK AND POKER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18168, 14 August 1922, Page 9

DRINK AND POKER.

theft by a youth. NO YOUNG COMPANIONS. CONDITIONS AT OTI'RA. [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] GREYMOUTH. Saturday. Drink and poker were the causes given for the lapse of a young railway cadet, 19 years of age, who pleaded guilty, before Mr, W. Meldrum, in tho Magistrate's Court, to a charge of tho theft of £12 from tho trustees of the relief fund at Otira. Explaining tho circumstances, SeniorSergeant McCarthy said that money amounting to £23 15s 7d had been collected for a deserving of distress in Otira and handed to the stationmaster for safe custody. Ho placed it in a safe, and as the accused had occasion to visit the safe at times he was questioned about the loss of tho money, and admitted taking it. t " This dofendant is only a boy," said the senior-sergeant, " and I think he is subjected to temptations which would not exist if he were in the company of younger companions. lam sorry to say he is somewhat addicted to liquor and gambling, and it is gambling that has brought him to his present position. These men at Otira get drink into their huts and drink beer and play cards all night long. This lad is too young for that sort of life yet." " It would pay him never to take part in it,". said the magistrate. " There is nothing so ruinous to a man's prospects as gambling." t Accused said ho lost the money playing poker and " two up." He was admitted to probation for 12 months and ordered to repay £12 within one month. J< As he is a young man with his life before him," said the magistrate, " I will order the suppression of the name."