RAIDS ON GAS METERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20255, 15 May 1929, Page 16

RAIDS ON GAS METERS.

OFFENCES BY WAIHI BOYS. METHODS OF RINGLEADER. STERN WARNING BY BENCH. [bit TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WAIHI. Tuesday. Six boys between the a£cs of 11 and 17 years appeared before Sir. F. W. Plaits, S.M., in tho Children's Court to-day to face a long scries of charges of having broken and entered Waihi residences and stolen from gas meters. The offences extended over a period of some months and altogether 26 houses were entered. The total amount stolon, together with tho valuo of tho damage done was £2l 6s. Sergeant D. L. Calwell prosecuted, Mr. E. W. G. Thorpe appeared for the Child Welfare Department, and Mr. F. C. V. Clark for tho Borough Council. Stated to have been the master-mind cf the gang a boy, aged 14 years, was alleged to have been responsible for bringing all the others into tho trouble. His method had been to become acquainted, in tho course of his duties delivering papers, with tho conditions of tho various residences and to visit tho pictures occasionally with a view to discovering who was away from home. Twenty charges were alleged against this youth, whom Mr. Thorpe suggested should be committed to tho care of his department. Mr. J. B. Beechc, for the defendant, said that a rclativo was willing to take him on a farm and Mr. Thorpe said this could bo arranged later. The magistrate pointed out to the boy tho grave nature of the position and warned him that a further offence would mean a term in tho Borstal Institute. Sergeant Calwell stated that no fewer than 60 boys had been interviewed in connection with the offences and he suggested that the press should make known the facts as a warning to others and to teach them to respect other people's property. The magistrate agreed that this would be a wise course. lie committed the defendant to the care of tho. department as suggested and ordered that restitution to the extent of £8 17s 2d be made. Another boy was also committed to tho care of the department and his father was ordered to pay £4 restitution. Of the other four boys tho youngest, who was stated to have been tho tool of the others, was admonished and discharged ; one was placed on probation and the other two were placed under the supervision of the local Child Weifaro officer. Restitution of the balance of the total amount, the magistrate directed, must be made by them or their parents.