MAORI GIRL SENT TO BORSTAL HOME.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18053, 13 January 1927, Page 8

MAORI GIRL SENT TO BORSTAL HOME.

TWELVE MONTHS IS SENTENCE FOR THEFTS AT LITTLE RIVER. Margaret Tini, a Maori girl aged nineteen. of Little River, appeared before Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., this morning to answer charges of theft. Tini was recently convicted of other thefts in the same district. The charges to-day were that on September 17, at Little River she stole a quantity of clothing valued at £lO 6s, the property of Amy Barclay, and on March 12 she stole clothing and money to the total value of £5 7s 6d. the property of May Marsh. Tini pleaded guilty to both charges. Sub-Inspector Mathew said that the girl was casually employed by Mrs Marsh in March last. She took a quantity of clothing and some silver, which was in a box. While working for Mrs Barclay she stoic a number of other articles. Accused was at the present time committed for sentence on other charges of breaking and entering and theft at Little River. The present offences were committed before those on which the girl was committed for sentence.

In reply to the Magistrate, Constable Whatman, of Little River, said that Tim’s father was dead, but her mother, one of the most respectable women at Little River, was living. The constable said that he had seen the girl’s mother this morning, and she had said she thought the best thing would be to send the girl for at least twelve months to a home. Her mother could not control her. “It is particularly unfortunate to have to send a girl of this age away,” said the Magistrate, “but if her mother can do nothing with her that is the end of it. She will be committed to the Wellington Borstal Institute for twelve months.”