GANG OF LARRIKINS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19092, 10 August 1925, Page 7

GANG OF LARRIKINS.

OPERATIONS IN CITY. THEFTS FROM SHOW CASES. The fourth and youngest member, a youth aged 15. of a band of young men known by tho police as tho Newton gang appeared before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Juvenile Offenders Court on Saturday, charged with stealing a quantity of fancy goods valued at £1 15s 3d, the property of Joo Brennan, a gramophone record valued. at 6d from Howie's, and with attempting to steal a cardigan jacket valued at 30s, from Hugh Wright. Three other members of tho gang pleaded guilty to the above charges in the Police Court on Friday and were remanded for sentenco. It was then stated tho youths were in the habit of going about tho town at night using jemmies and breaking into various places. Chief-Detective Cuminings said the boy belonged to a gang in Newton, and the lads practically took charge of the town. They wore in the habit of hanging round shop-fronts, and appropriating whatovur they could lay their imnds on. The magistrate said tho Education Department should look into the matter and send a few patrols out. Mr. Cummings said in referenco to.the present charges that accused and tho three other iiQys had gone to Mr Wright's shop and attempted to break into a showcase outside. Thoy did not succeed, however, and returned home to secure a screwdriver. With this they broke into a showcase outside Mr. Bronnan's shop and removed a quantity of goods. The gramophone record was also removed from a showcase. The boy, when arrested, had a pick of cards on him. Mr. Hunt: What do you want with a pack of cards? Do you go to Technical School at night? Tho probation officer said the boy had attended classes until about three weeks ago, when he became lazy. The magistrate decided to adjourn the case for two years, and ordered the boy to receive a birching at the hands of tho probation officer. "You will see that lie occupies his evenings in other ways than hanging round Ivarangahape Road," said Mr. Hunt, and stop him going to pictures for at least six months."