THEY MUST BEHAVE

NZ Truth, Issue 1272, 17 April 1930, Page 9

THEY MUST BEHAVE

Leniency Granted On Conditions BOYS CHARGED

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Auckland Kep.) •♦MUCH the worst feature of this case is the way you have led two younger lads into crime. You can thank the probation officer that I have not given you six months' imprison-' ment," said Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., to Ashley Iversoh Williams. Williams pleaded guilty to receiving ukeleles, and strings from two employees of a music firm m Auckland and also to stealing two saxophones valued at -£ 30 each and a clarinet worth £7/10-/- from the same shop. According to Detective-sergeant Kelly, Williams had a small music business which was not doingtoo well towards the end of last year. He obtained most of his stock from the firm employing the two lads whom he per- ; suaded to purloin the ukeleles for him. Their reward was a few shillings and some\ cigarettes. He was only 22 and had not been m trouble before, but he was responsible for the downfall of the others. For Williams, Mr, Alian Moody said he atarted m business with a capital of only £15 at the age of 19 without any business experience. He took full responsibility and had been perfectly frank with the police, even telling them about the clarinet of which they knew nothing. . • "I most earnestly ask for probation," he added. "Practically all the goods have been recovered and restitution of the balance will be made almost immediately." . Probation Officer, Campbell agreeing that he thought probation would meet the case, so Mr. .Hunt' ordered two years' probation and the restitution of £15/12/-. The two young men, who were represented by Mr. FSellars, were then charged with the theft of the ukeleles and pleaded guilty. "I do not wish to record a conviction on boys of under 20," said the magistrate, "so I will adjourn the case for six months. If they behave m the meanwhile, they will hear nothing more about it. Their names, too, will be suppressed." j