BIRCH AS CURE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21878, 14 August 1934, Page 10

BIRCH AS CURE

WARNING BY JUDGE YOUTHS GRANTED PROBATION Probation was allowed by Mr. Justice Hcrdman yesterday to two youths, Robert Franklin Jones, aged 17, and Ernest Bertrand Rhind, aged 18, who had admitted breaking into a shop in Swanson on July 16 and stealing soft drinks and confectionery valued at £1 16s.

Mr. Hall Skelton, for both youths, said it appeared they had got into bad company and had been led into mischief, There was a good position on a farm offering for Jones and he would bo under strict discipline. A similar position might bo obtained for Rhind. His Honor said both accused had beon awaiting sentence for nearly a month. He had doubted to begin with whether ho could grant probation, because they had both offended before — particularly "Rhind. However, he was reluctant to send boys to gaol, where they would mix with criminals. "What ought to bo done with boys like you is that you should be birched," said His Honor. "That would be the most effective way of dealing with you. In children's Courts that could be done, but you are both over 17 and it cannot be done here." His Honor added a year to the period of probation on which the youths had already been placed, making the term three years for each of them.