BOYS IN TROUBLE.

Wairarapa Age, 15 March 1929, Page 5

BOYS IN TROUBLE.

ONE ADMITS PUTTING GELIGNITE ON BAILWAY • COMMITTED TO WEREROA A boy of fifteen appeared before Mr J. Miller S.M. in the Juvenile Court yesterday on a change of placing gelignite on the railway line at Newman, near Eketahuna, and on three charges of arson. Two charges of arson were laid against a younger boy of the same family. The boys pleaded guilty to all the charges. Sergeant Dyer said that on November 20 last a shed belonging to Mr H. H. Daniell and situated Ixffween 'he two bridges on the Waipoua River woe Jestroyod by fire. Inquiries were made by the police at the 'time, but they were unable to ascertain the cause of the outbreak. At 8 o’clock on the following night, another fire broke out in an unoccupied house in College Street, owned by Mr R. W. Drain. The police again were unable to ascertain the cause of the outbreak. During the course of their inquiries the younger of the two boys before the Court was interviewed and he stated that just about half an hour prior to the outbreak he saw two swaggers go into the house : nd after a short while they left and the <firc broke out. It was then thought, Sergeant Dyer continued, that these swaggers had perhaps, been smoking and had caused the fire. On February 18, a shed in Hope Street belonging to the Masterton Borough Council was discovered to Be on fire. The elder of the two boys was interviewed. He at first denied all know ledge of the matter, but afterwards made a statement admitting that he set fire to this building and also the shed belonging to Mr Daniell and the unoccupied house above-mentioned. He said he set fire to the buildings because he want's! to see the Fire Brigade turn out. Mr Daniell’s building wa. completely demolished, as also, was the house belonging to Mr Drain. The Borough Council shed was damaged to the extent of £63. Nothing was previously knffwii against the ’ younger boy, but the' older one had been before the Court on January 27, 1928, on a charge of theft. He was then placed under the supervision of the locai child welfare officer for twelve months. He appeared to be a boy not under proper control and of weak intellect. The father was away from home a good deal and the family of seven children was left to the mother. The latter was not in very good health and apparently could nor. exercise the control over the children that, was required. The Magistrate said that the elder boy was charged with very serious cffences. With regard to the charge of placing gelignite an the railway it was fortunate for him vhat there were no seriou. consequences. Mr Miller said he was given to understand by the child welfare officer that in this case, however, it was possible that the boy realised that the gelignite would l no’ have the same effect as if caps had been placed on it and that he put the gelignite on the line more with the object of hearing a noise. Ho was wilting ti< accept this explanation of an affcnce wh:ch otherwise would be senseless and diabolical. The boy, how I ever, had been before the Court for theft in 1928 and had; now admitted;

three charge’s of arson. Now there waa 1 this fourth charge. The whole of the ; boy’s actions appeared to be those oi one who was subnormal. It was of nc use lecturing him there. The only al tomative was to commit him to Weretroa, where he would be taught to behave himself. Addressing the boy, the Magistrate said: “The training is very thorough there. You will have your chance. It ri« the only thing to be done for you in the meantime.” Of the younger boy, the Magistrate said he had been under the influence of his ekler brother and was implicated in setting fire to buildings in two instances. Tbe“child’ weTfare officer had reported that he thought he could ex exercise some controil over this boy provided the latter went back to school. Ho would be brought up again, however, if he gave any indication of getting out of control or got into any further trouble at all. He wais being given one chance. He must go back to school aid if there was any further trouble ho would be committed. A constant watch would be kept over him. Z7