GIVEN A CHANCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 30 June 1924, Page 8

GIVEN A CHANCE.

CHILDREN AT COURT. NEGLECTED AND UNCONTROLLED Two little girls aged eight and twelve years respectively appeared before Air E. 1). Aiosley, S.Ai., at a sitting of tho Juvomle Court on Saturday morning on charges of haying stolen a blanket and various articles of clothing valued at LI 5s from persons unknown, and a brooch valued at L'2, the property of All's C. J. Hawkes. Senior Sergeant Fahey stated that on May 22nd a resident in Elizabeth Street complained that his house had been broken into. Constables Main and Sampson had learnt that girls had been seen at the doors of houses on various occasions, and in consequence of the two girls in question not having been at school on the dates mentioned, a watch had been kept, and they were discovered one evening about 5 p.m. coining along the road near the school with stolen goods in their possession. On being taken to their home by the constables, the mother said that tho children had been sent to school that day in tho usual way. Tho children admitted stealing the goods from various houses but could not say where. Inquiries were made regarding the brooch, and the mother produced it--; stating that the children had found it on tho roadside. Their attendance at school was bad and they were also very poorly clad. Constables Main and Sampson gave corroborative evidence. The latter stated that it was customary for the children to knock at doors and if -no one answered to attempt to get inside. If anyone came to the door they would ask for a drink of water or inquire the tiiiie.

Miss Col Iyer, boarding-out officer, in giving evidence as to the state of the children’s home, said that the girls’ room was in a shocking condition, aud the kitchen was also very dirty, Witness visited the children at school and they said that they were not going homo for lunch and had no lunch with them. Their teacher spoke very highly ot their capabilities, and considered they would do well if given a chance. Senior Sergeant Fahey also went into the witness-box, and stated that ihe lather had once been sentenced, to a term of imprisonment for indecent assault, and witness was far from satisfied regarding the present conduct of the home. Tho Magistrate said that the children must be given a chance in life, and the only way to do that would be to take them away from the parents, and put them under the care of the State

The mother: “Then they will get no chance The mother is the best person to bring up her own children.” The Aiagistrate : “I will differ from you in this case.”

At this point the father also interjected, stating that the police had made-up their evidence. AD Aiosley stated that apart from tbe evidence of the two constables, whom he believed iimdicitly. there was also the evidence of-Miss Collyer, which he was quite satisfied to accept. Hie children were annarently intelligent aiid deserved a -chance in life. He intended to see that they got that chance and would commit them to tho Chrisr,chureh Receiving-,Home. The father was ordered to pay Ss a week towards the maintenance of each child.