Stole From His Teachers

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 86, 2 July 1927, Page 4

Stole From His Teachers

RIOTOUS LIVING A FATHER’S RESPONSIBILITY AN admission that he had spent £9 on “lollies and soft drinks,” by an 11-year-old newspaper seller, amazed the Children’s Court today. “But what else did you do with all that money?” asked Mr. W. if. Newton, the magistrate’s associate. “I gave two shillings to a friend, replied the culprit, who had stolen about £2 from the headmaster of a suburban school and the rest of the sum from other teachers. „ “I have done what I can with him, said the father, resignedly. The senior child welfare officer, Mr. J. S. Cupit, urged that the father should be asked to do more for the boy. “We can’t have the State being made into a huge national father and mother,” he said. “If we were not careful we would have 50 children on the State every month. It is up to the father to do his best. I can’t believe the statement that the child of 11 years is as bad as the father says.” Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M.: No, we can’t believe that. The law will soon be amended, and liability will be put on you (he said to the father), and you may find yourself before the court yourself. You think you ore gong to chuck up the business and get rid of your difficulties, but you will not be allowed to. “You ought to make a companion of the boy. Have him with you on Saturday and Sunday, take him to a football match, or watch him playing.” The father: Y r ou don’t know the boy. I’ve had him for eleven years! The lad was put under the supervision of a probation officer for two years, and the father was ordered to make restitution of the money taken.