YOUTHFUL LAWBREAKERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19062, 6 July 1925, Page 11

YOUTHFUL LAWBREAKERS.

DAMAGE DONE TO CHURCH. BOYS CHARGED IN COURT. The damage caused to the interior of the Point Chevalier Anglican Church by two boys last month was responsible for their appearance in the Juvenile Offenders Court on Saturday, before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M. They were charged with breaking and entering tho church and stealing half a gallon of paint, also 12 empty bottles, the property of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, and committing mischief by wilfully damaging surplices, hassocks and prayer books various furnishings to the extent of £l7 4s. A third boy was also charged with theft of the bottles. The three boys broke into the church and stole the bottles, selling them at a fruit store, Senior-Detective Hammond stated. Then two of there returned and, using a paint-saturated mop, literally smothered the interior with paint besides damaging nearly everything they could lay their hands upon. Mr. Hunt: Tho dirty little beasts, desecrating a church like they did. A report on tho conduct of tho eldest boy, aged 11, stated he had frequently run away from home. Ho was committed to the Auckland Probation Home, with a recommendation that he should bo sent to the school for the feeble-minded. The case against the other two lads, both aged 10, was adjourned for two years. No order for restitution was made owing to the parents' poor financial circumstances. Charges of theft were preferred against two youths, aged 15 and 18. Senior-Detective Hammond said the younger boy was employed by Arthur Yates and Company, Ltd., and suggested to his companion that they should secret themselves ifi tho warehouse until it was closed. They broke open several drawers, tho younger lad stealing £5 12s 6d and tho other £5 16s 2d. Previously the former had stolen grass seed worth £1 5s and sold it back to tho firm, and it was alleged ho had also taken 10s from tho pockets of employees. The .older boy's case was adjourned for six months, and ho -was ordered to restore £1 9s 4d. A week's remand for sentence was granted in tho case of the second youth.