YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12650, 30 April 1903, Page 10

YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS.

TO THE KDITOIt. .Sir,—WonM you allow me through Hie columns of your paper to return thanks to llio varioin c&snmittKS who acted in connection with my mission in IHmedin, South Dunetlin, Port Chalmers, and Oanvsnu and who,, otk-r paying expenses of ramo, kindly ■)innd>d mo the balance for tlio, Boy Eeecuo V'orfc in ilclbourue. In addition to this, many kind friends have handed m? practical raiuvifestations of their thanks foi Wessings received, for which I trust tb'ej mil accept •my profonndest thonks, no.

forgcl-l-ing" '-ho' hundreds of children .who have contributed their small coins for the same object. I I 'find that even in this fair country your I judges are puzzled to know what to do with ! some: of your youthful offenders- The' dillieulty I%'that wo are too slow with our preventive- measures, and as a rule ■ the. church catches up to him just aa the police and gaol officials are taking their hands off. him. Now/-in'order that we may catch the boy bofpro he gets thus far, the Government of oiij- Victorian State has ■ gazetted. me, under .Oic, Neglected Children's Act of IF9O, ae'a.perjon appointed to,-apprehend . ni:d- take charge of any neglected children ' under ,16 ycare of age; and under tho section; of the " trarafer of guardianship " .1 largo.number of tliose boys are being successfully dealt with by iis, and, thus save;! to their families ami society and from is through -thegaol? : . . ■ ': When-will; the "powers that bo" learn that, the shortest- cut to ruin :for. any boy is through the gaol? •

Thanking you in anticipation,—l am, etc., ' j . . .; G. H. Coin, j.• : ', .. Central Mision, Melbo^ne.