YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3830, 9 August 1927, Page 71

YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS.

THE CHILD WELFARE ACT. WELLINGTON, August 5. What he described as a deficiency in the Child Welfare Act was commented on by Mr P. S. K. Macasscy (Crown Prosecutor) in tho Supreme Court to-day, when three Maori lads appeared before Mr Justice MacGregor for sentence for killing 10 sheep at Olaki. The boys were Tamca Hawea, aged 15 years, Panaki Ngapari, aged 19 years, anil Parakai Ropata, aged 18 years. Hawea and Ngapari made statements from dock, in which they said that Ropata had invited them to kill the sheep. Mr Macassey said he had had an opportunity ot discussing the cases with Mr Shell, tho child welfare officer, and with Mr O’Donoghue, manager of the training farm. Ropata bad been under Mr O'Donoghue's charge since July 15- He had had no education whatever, and could not read or write, but he was making stood progress at night classes. He did not understand the enormity of the offence. Hawea had never been to school, and also could nob read or write. Mr Macasscy pointed out that undci; flection 32 of tbc Child Welfare Act any person between the age of 16 anti 18 years could be sent to the Children’s Court and the case dealt with there, but there was no similar provision for any case that came before the Supreme Court where the person was tinder 16 years of age. He suggested that Hawea. who was 13 years of age, might be convicted and discharged, and that under section 13 of tho Act the child welfare officer could take proceedings and have Hawea dealt with by the Children’s Court. He suggested that Ropata, who was 18 years of age, could be sent, under section 32 of tho Child Welfare Act, to the Children’s Cour# to be. dealt with. Ngapari, who was 19 years of age, di<( not come within . section 32 of the Act. He was a very bard worker, and counsel suggested that be might be ordered to come up for sentence w hen called upon. His Honor remarked that the lads had gone on to a farm, killed some sheep that ' did not belong to them, stolen the skins , mid sold them and divided the money which was spent nt a show. They frankly i admitted their offence. Then seemed tho ; type of lads who might do well if they , got the chance, and his Honor said ho , intended to give them that chance if bo could. - s

His Honor convicted and discharged Hawea, and left him to be dealt with under section 13 of the Child Welfare Act. The case of Ropata was referred to the Children’s Court at Wellington. In regard to Ngapari his Honor.said he thought that tho best thing was to order him to come up for sentence when called upon within two years.