AN INCORRIGIBLE BOY.

NZ Truth, Issue 299, 18 March 1911, Page 7

AN INCORRIGIBLE BOY.

Twice Attempts Suicide. Holy Dunedin boasts many prodigies whose forte ranges from prohibition to three-penny bars, but the latest thing is a youthful specimen who attempted to commit suicide twice m one day. The boy belongs to decent parents, and it is surprising to see the self-destruction mania so strong m one so young. This youngster has made frequent appearances before the court for minor offences, such as theft and damage to property, but his performances were capped when he appeared before S.M. "Widdowson one day last week on a charge of attempted suicide. Before hearing the case m the Juvenile Court, the S;M. examined the youthful sensationalist m his own room with ' a view to ascertaining whether he , was insane or not. The result of the examination was a decided verdict of sanity, so the prodigy was charged m the open court. • 1 The Rev. Axelsen informed the court that the boy was out of the control - ol his parents. It appears that on being asked to go out and find a job, he refused, and would persist m staying m the house reading. Finally his mother took the book away from him, and this seems to have raised KI3 'wrath, as be went, out and got the axe and smashed a window with it. Also, he pulled up all the- cabbages m the garden and then tied a rope~~ lt6~~ it tree and proceeded to hang himself. Some neighbors observed his antics and came to the rescue. When the hoy'.s father arrived home from work and heard pf his performance, he immediatdly thrashed his son. but when that paternal operation was finished the youth went back to the tree once more and had another try. at the hanging- business. This timo he was nearly successful, as after-he had jumped off the tree he remained suspended for a'little while until his mother observed him, and tunning tip "held him up by the, legs until he w-is cut down. ; ■ ■• ' •The boy's father also informed the S.M. that he could do nothing with him, and asked that he be sent to an industrial school. .-..,.-■ The S.M. ordered the, would-be suicide to be committed to the Burnham Industrial School, and his father to contribute 5s per weelc towards his support. The boy wept when the Magistrate mate' thc:order.