NOT UNDER CONTROL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10871, 11 September 1913, Page 2

NOT UNDER CONTROL.

JUVENILE OFFENDERS AND THEIR PRANKS.

"HONEST FOR LACK OF OPPORTUNITY."

For fifteen minutes to-day the time of Mr H. W. Bishop was taken up at a sitting of the Juvenile Court in considering the case of three youths, charged with theft, and a small boy not under control. . /The three culprits were charged with the theft of empty ginger beer bottles, cordials and a rifle and other article's, including brass weights. They pleaded guilty. One of them, Ernest Flutey, for whom Mr A. T. Donnelly appeared, was a week over sixteen years of ago, and had to stand down for trial in the open Court. The others were lectured, convicted and discharged, and ordered each to pay a third of the value of the stolen articles. Flutey, who appeared later was treated similarly and ordered to report himself weekly. "1" cannot have theso boys running wild over the city," said Mr Bishop. " If they are honest, it is only for lack of opportunity." Addressing. Flutey, he said, " If you come up again I will send you to gaol, as sure as you are standing there. This is your last chance.'' A different, but unfortunately a com mon tvpo of juvenile offender next appeared before the Magistrate. This was a six-year-old child, who blinked incessantly and chewed gum. He was charged with being not under control, but, as he did not understand the charge, he merely chewed on, while his elders deliberated over him. The police stated that the cliild wandered all over the city, and had turned up on three nights at the Woolston police station. In extenuation of this fact, the Rev F. Rule remarked that the child was living in a district where the only playground was the street. "He could be kept- in his own street," responded the Magistrate. An order of commitment to the Receiving Home was made, in the Roman Catholic faith, and the question of maintenance arose. The father, a barman, who was present in Court with the mother, but had taken no part in the case, was called forward, and stated that he was earning £2 a week, and was already the subject of two maintenance orders, for 5s a week each, in respect of two of hi' children that wjre in the Receiving Home. He added that he had not paid anything for four or five months.

"Then the-'- will send von to gaol." said tho Magistrate. "That will he the end of you. If you cannot look after your children, the State will make yon pay indirectly." An additional order for 2s 6d a week was issued against the father.