PROTECTED TWO GIRLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18334, 26 February 1923, Page 9

PROTECTED TWO GIRLS.

MAGISTRATE PRAISEU BOYS.

WAITED TO BE ARRESTED.

The action of a number of boys in protecting two girls from the attentions of a strange man was favourably commented upon by Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M., in the Juvenile Offenders Court on Saturday. The case was one in t which six boys were charged, upon the information of the man in question, with throwing \. stones to the danger of passers-by. From the evidence of the boys and a twelve-year-old girl, it appeared that on an evening in January a man approached the two girls near Victoria Park and asked them the way to a certain street in Ponsonby. They did not know the street, and one of them called to a boy she knew, who was standing playing on the ether side of the' road with some companions. The six boys thereupon crossed the road and told the man he could get to the street by tramcar. He did not approve of thia suggestion, so ons of the lads offered to conduct him there. He returned shortly afterwards and advised the two girls to run home. He reported to his companions that the roan had offered him 10s to bring one of the girls to him. She in turn was to receive 20s. "According to the boys' evidence, they followed the. man, who, being unable to 'I shake them off, threw a stone at one of than. The six boys thereupon threw stones at the man, who finally entered a shop and telephoned for the police. When a policeman arrivdd tihe eldest boy said : " It is the man you ought to arrest, not iis." The magistrate said that the way the boys had protected the two girls was very much to their credit, especially so as they stood their ground and waited when they knew the police were being summoned. He complimented -the lads on their action in protecting the girls, but warned them that on no' consideration should they have thrown stones. The case was dismissed. Messrs. Terry and Sullivan appeared for the Soys, while Mr. Mouatt watched the interests of the man concerned.