Daily Circulation, 1660. The Oamaru Mail. FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1896.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXI, Issue 6504, 13 March 1896, Page 2

Daily Circulation, 1660. The Oamaru Mail. FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1896.

The trial of the two boys who were charged with housebreaking was one of the most pathetic incidents which have ever mai keel the operations of the Supreme Court of this colony. The sympathy which pervaded the whole proceeding strangely contrasted with the conduct of the accused, who, it seem d, took no thought whatever for anything but the gratification of an insane desire to run into' the most serious danger. That pain and disgrace w« uld be incurred to themselves and their relations appeared to give them not the least concern ; and so, for several months, they systematically and coolly concerted measures to interfere with and appropriate the property of several citizens of this town. The kindly treatment whicn they received at the hands of the Court ought to create within them everlasting gratitude. Not many years ago hanging would (ave been the "punishment for the crime which they comm'tted, and, if it had not been th.it Judge Williams has a very proper disinclination to st wding juvenile p; tamers to herd with hardened criminals, unless they themselves are old offenders, the lads might easily have found themselves consigned to prison, instead of being admitted to liberty under a bond to come ui> for enteuce when called upon. That such drastic punishment, as imprisonment was not impe ative is a matter which will probably cause public satisfaction. Even those who had been robbed came forward in the Court and expressed their wish that the culpriU should not be dealt with severely. The lads ought never to forget this. They shou d also bear in mind that they have not to thank themselves for their liberty ; that their liberty is, after all, only conditional, and that they can best atone for their wrong-doing by adopting a penitent demeanor, and by keeping out of the way of temptation which might lead them again into evil courses.