BREAKING WINDOWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 17 November 1924, Page 6

BREAKING WINDOWS.

BOY BEFORE THE COURT. At the Timaru Juvenile Court on Saturday morning before AH’ E- B. Alosley, S.AL, a boy of ten was cliaiged with haring caused damage to a window by throwing stones. Air AV. D. Campbell appeared on behalf of the boy. Senior Sergeant Fahey said that on October 20 a resident of the south end complained that several windows in his shop and residence had been broken b.s boys throwing stones. On inquiries bemade it was found that five bo>s were implicated, and most of tho parents had since made good the dama ore. However, one parent denied that her sou had been connected with tho matter and refused to pay. She stated that the constable had visited the school and had forced her boy to lnako a statement. The police were making a criminal of her son. A lad of ten said that defendant was throwing stones with the rest, but he had not broken windows. . The next witness, a diminutive little boy of some eight years, tip-toed forward with a smile and gavo his evidence with tho greatest of nonchalance. Ho said lie had broken one window and defendant had thrown stones, but witness did not think ho had broken any windows. Constable Sampson said that having received a complaint about broken windows he made investigations and then went to the South School, where ho interviewed the defendant in the presence of the headmaster. Ho admitted breaking one window. Air Alethven (headmaster, South School) said he had been present when the constable questioned the boys, who had been treated very fairly. In reply to Air Campbell witness stated that defendant’s character at school was very good indeed. He had never had any complaint from the teachers or anyone else.

Air Campbell said that defendant’s mother desired to havo the boy brought before the Court, because if ho wat guilty she wanted him cured. Since tli© summons had been served defendant’s sister had paid the money unknown to her mother.

Defendant in reply to His AVorship said that he did not throw any stones and what ho had said to the eonstablo was not correct. He had been questioned so much that ho told tho constable bo had broken a window.

His AA r orship said that defendant had been before him before and on that occasion ho had not told the truth. There was tho evidence of tho other tw ) boys and defendant’s own admission of guilt, so the Court had at least to believe that defendant was at least present when tho stones were thrown. The lad was admonished, and discharged on probation for twelve, months to see how ho behaved.