FRIENDLESS YOUTH

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12453, 22 May 1926, Page 5

FRIENDLESS YOUTH

TEMPTED TO STEAL ADMITTED TO PROBATION A CHANCE TO MAKE GOOD Without friends, a stranger to the Dominion, and only seventeen years of age, Peter Mcßae stood in the dock at the Supreme Court- yesterday morning awaiting the sentence to be passed upon him by His Honour Mr Justice Reed for his crime of theft. He had stolen over £7O from his employers. “The probation officer reports that you are likely to reform,” said thjs Judge, addressing the youth, “and lie recommends probation. On© feature of the report that has struck me is that you are not long out from Home, and you have been unable to make friends in New Zealand. I quite realise that this is a wretched sort of a position. Does this prevent him from being taken in by tbe Y.M.C.A., and introduced to friends? It seems a desperate position for a boy of this age to be in without friends at all.” “STILL A CHANCE” Mr Macassey (for tlie Crown): If tho position were represented correctly to them, and in the right light, I am sure that they would take him in. “Look here, my boy,” went on tbe judge, addressing the prisoner. “You are only seventeen years of age. You have come to a new country, and although you have made this slip you still have a chance to make good. You will be well helped in this direction. I hope it will be a lesson to you, and that you will pull yourself together and become a decent member of society. “You will be admitted to probation for three years on the usual terms, and the special conditions that you repay £29 16s at such times as the probation officer thinks fit. Of course if you cannot pay this tbe term for payment may be extended.”

ASSAULTED IN STREET

CLAIM FOR DAMAGES PLAINTIFF'S ACTION SUCCEEDS. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, May 21. As the result of the stabbing affaii on January 16th, when Thomas George Atkinson, newspaper runner, was assaulted by Herbert James Symons in Bletsoe avenue, Spreydon, a claim for damages was beard to-day at the Supreme Court. Symons was previously convicted of common assault, and was fined £2O and bound over. To-day Atkinson sued him for £633 17s damages on account of injuries received. Atkinson set out that Symons assaulted and wounded him Gy striking him with clenched fists and by striking him behind the left ear and on one finger with a knife. Ho claimed that lie bad suffered great pain of body and mind, and had been disabled from following his occupation. The claim was made up as follows: General damages £SOO, special damages and medical expenses £SO, hospital expenses £ls, lint, disinfectants, etc., £1 7s, loss of earnings at £4 10s a week £67 10s, total £133 17s. Mr C. S. Thomas, who appeared for Symons, said that his retainer and retainer to Mr Quigley, had been withdrawn, and counsel asked for leave to withdraw from the case. Mr Justice Adams said that he could only express regret that the jury would be deprived of counsel’s help, hut there was no doubt that his proper course was to withdraw, and leave would be granted. Symons, who is a retired member of the English police force, did not appear, and the jury, after retiring for nine minutes, returned a verdict for plaintiff for £IOO general damages and £133 17s special damages. Judgment was given for plaintiff for £233 17s, with costs, witnesses’ expenses and disbursements to be settled by the registrar.