Police Court.

Southland Times, Issue 11672, 28 February 1891, Page 3

Police Court.

Fkiday, 27tu Feb. (Before Messrs J. VV. Bain and T. Perkins, J.P.'s.) THE FRUIT STEALING NUISANCES. Four boys, two of 16 years, one of la and one of 10, were charged with having stolen a quantity of apples, valued at os, from a garden belonging to James Scott, Oteramika JOld.— Mr Henderson said the boys ad mitted taking the fruit, but they had not gone to the place in ten J ing a systematic robbery. They went for a horse, saw the fruit, and the temptation was too great for them. He asked that they might be let ott on payment of the value of the fruit ami costs. With the exception of one of the boys nothing was known against them Sergeant McLeod said the fruit stealing that was going on in and about the town was very annoying, so much so people were beginning to question whether it was worth growing fruit at all. The police had received fresh complaints that very morning of thefts at the other end of the town. He would not like to see the boys go t<> gaol, but something would have to be done to put a stop to the practice—The Bench said the case was an unpleasant and a difficult one to deal with. If the boys were sent to prison it would be difficult to say what the effect upon them might be, and on the other hand it was a. serious matter owing to the prevalence of the offence. As the sergeant had »aid it fti getting to be a question whether or not

T Something would have to be done to prevent I the practice, and in all probability if the boys were let off, the mereVright they had had would not be much of a preventive, and would not deter others from doing the same thing. On the other hand the Bench did not vvi.sh that t lie parents should be put to any expense. Three of the boys were of comparatively mature age, the other being only 10 years. The Bench were of opinion that ie was a case which must be met by the rod, and therefore sentenced the three elder boys to receive 12 strokes and the youngest six. — After consulting the Clerk of the Court, the Bench intimated that they found the three elder boys were over the limit of age prescribed for whippings, and could not therefore be punished in the way at first intended. The Bench had therefore now decided to convict and bind each of the boys, including the youngest, over in one surety of LlO each to come up for sentence when called upon.— Sergeant McLeod said Mrs Scott waived any claim to the value of the fruit. — The Bench warned the boys that the police would be looking after them, and that if t'ley came before the Court again it would be a very, very serious matter— they would be liable toliecharged with an indictable offence and committed for trial. It was to be hoped that this case would prove an effective warning to them and to others.