A YOUTHFUL CRIMINAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13846, 8 March 1907, Page 6

A YOUTHFUL CRIMINAL.

(Per United Press Association.) INVERCARGIJjL, Milrdi 7. ' At the Juvenile Court to-day a boy of 14 was chaiged on two counts with breaking and theft, also with having been found in possesion_of a .rifle, be being under the !1 00 of 16. The- police said that the bovliad hail a rather remarkable career of crime. Recently lie paid two visits to C'bristelmrcii and ono to Edcudale, (hough all tlio money his mother liad Riven him was Ms. At Ohristcburch be borrowed 3s 6d from a gentleman who travelled in tlic same carriage, promising to refund the money. On his return lip. put iho sum mentioned in a sugar bag. tied it up in a parcel, and sent it to bis benefactor by post. The lad was an expert shot, and when a rifle belonging io his uncle had been taken from him Ixjeause it was against the'hnv for him to liavo it, be purchased another, whic-li lie kept concealed in a hedge, giving the owner Ss and a rug which bo had taken from his home for it. The parents did not objocf to the boy going to Btirnham for.a year, and (he Magistrate, in committing hiiii to that institution, said that in adopting such a course ho always felt a great deal of regret. The training at tlio school might bo severe, and in a great many cases good .might result, but lie had yet to learn that it was up io the slaiulard which should obtain. There was, however, no alternative,