THE STIRRUP LEATHER FOR LARRIKINS.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12868, 2 January 1906, Page 7

THE STIRRUP LEATHER FOR LARRIKINS.

Mr Read Murphy,ifP.M., adopted an unusual method of dealing with larrikinism at the Kilmore petty sessions, Victoria, recently. Three youths, aged 16, 18, and 20 years, were charged with assaulting a respectable young girl. They accosted the girl in the street, pulled her about-, and she had to fight- her way to a friend's house. At theconclusion of the hearing Mr Murphy sent for the fathers of the boys, and gave them the option of inflicting a public" flogging or having their sons sent to gaol for three months. Each of the parents expressed regret for the" conduct of his son, but one demurred to flogging 'his boy, as he was approaching manhood.' Mr Murphy: "Well, stand down; I will send your boy to gaol for six months. Finally the parents agreed to chastise the boys, and Mr Murphy sent to the police barracks for leather straps. The constable returned with two stout stir-rup-leathers, which Mr Murphy, carefully examined. After he had expressed his opinion as to their suitability, the Court was cleared, and at the direction of the police magistrate the three boys were stripped and soundly flogged, by their fathers. 'Oie flogging, wliich was directed personally by Mr Murphy from the Bench, was very, severe, and the cries of the victims r weie plainly: heard outside 'tie ; .<Joiirili9iii& : ' f> 4!fie'."aver-! age punishment meted : out" t^ vr %£tch f 'of the boys was 30 blows.. After the punishment,: Mr Murphy asked- each of the boys if hei would : ever again attempt to insult a- girl in such a rnanner. and, with'tH*£. in their eyes, the boys shrieked. out-: ' " No." Mr Murphy inflicted small l fines, and sentenced the three youths to 48 hours imprisonment in the celkj on'bread and water. - •