SEVERAL THEFTS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20274, 7 April 1934, Page 13

SEVERAL THEFTS.

Three Boys in Children’s

Court.

Three boys, who had stolen bottles of cordial, a wallet containing Bs, and a purse containing money and a gold wristlet watch were* charged in the Children’s Court this morning. Mr E. D. Mosley, S.Af., presided, and associated with him was Mrs T. Green, J.P. Sergeant Hyland stated that the three boys had been in company with a fourth boy, who had since left home and had not been located. The fourth boy stole four bottles of cordial from a shop, and all the boys shared in the drink. Another day this boy made an attempt to steal a further bottle, but he was caught. One of the boys, who had been waiting outside, dashed up and said “ I’ve caught him for you.” The fourth boy then threatened the others that he would thrash them if they told the truth. Two of the boys had been involved in the theft of a wallet. They had found a coat lying at the side of a sports field, and had removed the wallet from a pocket. The wallet had contained eight shillings. When inter viewed the boys denied the theft. After a while they had admitted taking the wallet, but had said that there had been no mdney in it. After several hours of questioning by the police, they had admitted spending the eight shillings.

Chief-Detective Dunlop said that a woman had gone to the beach and left her watch, along with her clothing, among the sandhills, while she went for a bathe. When she came back a purse and the watch were missing. Investigations had led the police to question two of the four boys, and they had said that they had found the watch on the Madras Street railway bridge. One boy said he_ had given it to his mother. When interview e'd, the mother had said that she had intended reporting the matter to the police. The main offender was placed under supervision of the Child Welfare Officer for three years, and the other two who had appeared were placed under supervision for one year each. The amount stolen has to be refunded.