A PENITENT BOY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18642, 25 February 1924, Page 9

A PENITENT BOY.

THEFT FROM EMPLOYER. INFLUENCE OF BAD NOVELS. ** He is a prolific reader of trashy literature," declared the juvenile probation officer, Mr. J. ! C. Copit, -when asked for his opinion of a 15-year-old Boy, charged with theft in the Juvenile Offenders' Court on Saturday. The lad had been employed by a Karangahape Road -watchmaker and jeweller, Cecil Frederick Norton, as messenger boy, and admitted having, stolen £13 worth of watches and jewellery.

The boy presented a very downcast figure as he stood with bowed head before the magistrate, Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M. It was. stated by his counsel, Mr. Allan Moody, that 'He had been 'given ■■-.» particularly severe thrashing, and that as a. result of the beating and his fear tfce impending; legal proceedings, he- had been confined to his bed and declined food. Counsel considered that the offence was reaction consequent upon reading bad -literature and the influence of moving pictures. - A great quantity of that class of literature had -found at his home, and he understood the boy was very fond of playing at moving pictures with his little brother. Although ,he had spent .the money taken from, his employer, the goods he had presented to a. number of . his boy friends. Counsel, believed . the lad . had received ample.''punishment. _ '' , ' ' . , After ; interrogating the father, ; who expressed 'bis'-intention of apprenticing his son to a traded the Magistrate said that, as the boy was fond of reading there _was evidently a* good- chance for him provided his ideas were directed : into the right channels. "There however,' a previous conviction ~against him.... t ~..■ :, % i ij. The boy was placed undav probation for a period of ""two years* restitution to be made .within a .month. . i-v ;.;. A 13-year-old girl, admitted haying stolen' blue silk-embroidered underskirt,. valued; at £1 12s 66, ■ and •- three £1 notes * from*, the ladv with whom she had boarded while< on holiday at Wellington. : Thegirl. was described as being of good character, and after being reprimanded by the magistrate, was discharged.' , »