JUVENILE COURT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13519, 16 February 1906, Page 8

JUVENILE COURT.

SOME TALI SWEARING, Tiie further hearing of the case 111 winch two boys, between tho agea of 15 nud 16 years, were clmrged that, 011 February 8, they did steal a bicycle, valued at £18, the property of Alfred Uccrgc Ferguson, was proceeded with yesterday before Mt H. Y. AViddov/fon, S.M. Bolli accused had pleaded " Not guilty," the elder boy being defended iby Mr A. C. Hanlon, while Chief Detectivo Herbert conducted the case for the prosecution. Very little was adduced in the shape of new evidence. One witness stated that he met tbo older boy on Sunday niglit in George street with a bicycle. He asked witness to mind it for him, which he did. The younger boy subsequently told him that the machine v.as a stolen one. The rest of the evidence tendered wag much 011 the same lines as at the hearing on Tuesday, and bench and counsel were about nonplussed at the unsatisfactory state of affairs Then the case concluded. The Magistrate said this was a most difficult case. Each of tho boys told a consistent story, and it was very difficult to know who was telling the truth. One thing was quite certain—either both of them or one of them was telling fearful lies, which was not only mean and abominable but a cowardly thing to do. He felt inclined to send the' caso up before a jury. Mr Hanlon said that the ease was so much clouded in doubt that that course was all there was for it unless it was dismissed. The Magistrate said' he had hoped that on this occasion one of the boys wquld tell the troth and clear the way. Chief Detective Herbert said the gTeate3t difficulty to be overcome was tho fact that the act of stealing, if by either or both of the boys, appeared to have taken place in such a way that no third person had witntsssed it. Tho court .tos at "the mercy of their respective statements. Hu had questioned one of the boys closely ?s whom he lad teen in-t&o neighbourhood, but ineffcctu-

ally. In tho higher court it seemed to him they would be ir as deep water as IJis Worship: It is the biggest fog I have ever been in yet. Mrltanlon: I have never seen a case like it in all my experience, and I have had a- good deal. . The Chief Detective: JCor I. His "Worship said it would be' a ccriou9 ' thing' to convict the wrong boy, and he did not wish, to .nuke a hasty decision in tho matter. Ho would be glod if anything: further could be brought to light in conncction with tho matter. Th© case would bo adjourned until the following morning, and he hoped by that timo tho boys vrould tcalise the seriousness of the charge.