CHANCE FOR YOUTHS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19406, 14 August 1926, Page 12

CHANCE FOR YOUTHS.

THEFT CHARGES ADMITTED. STRICT PROBATION GRANTED. [BY TELEGEAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] WELLINGTON. Friday.

Two youths of 19 years, Edwin Henry Faulkner and Stephen Percival Matterson, appeared before the Chief Justice for sentence 'for breaking and entering and theft at Wellington. In submitting that the cases were suitable for probation, Mr. C. A. L. Treadwell pointed out that the police gave the prisoners good characters. Counsel suggested that the prisoners' acts spoke more of bombast than of original criminality. The accused were contrite for their behaviour.

Addressing the prisoners, His Honor said they had pleaded guilty to what was regarded as a very serious crime. He had considered seriously whether each should be sent to a Borstal institution, but in consequence of what counsel had said, in deference to the wishes of the prisoners' fathers, who were quite respectable men, and on the recommendation of the probation officer, he proposed to grant probation. The prisoners were admitted to probation for three years and an order was made for restitution to be made out of their wages. His Honor further ordered that they must bo of good behaviour and that their leisure hours musfc.be regulated by tbo probation officer. Neither was to go into a billiard saloon on any occasion and they were not to associate with each other. "It is to be sincerely hoped that you will observe the conditions," added His Honor, "and endeavour to turn over a new leaf. I hope we shall not see you again in this disgraceful predicament."