LAW BREAKERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 286, 4 December 1933, Page 6

LAW BREAKERS

FELLOWSHIP OF THE FROG NOW MEMBERS OF BORSTAL INFLUENCE OF A “THRILLER.” RINGLEADER’S HIDDEN WELL. Three boys who had banded them selves together under the name of the “Frog Gang” and one other who had committed a series of thefts and car ried out deliberate window smashing raids, were brought before Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., in the Children’s Couit at Wanganui on Saturday morning. Two of them will be sent to the Borstel Institute at Invercargill for a period not exceeding three years, one will be sent to the institute for a period not exceeding two years, and the fourth will be placed under the supervision of the Child Welfare Officer for a period of three years. A fifth boy, who was

not concerned with the gang, but who had committed minor offences, is also to be placed under the supervision of the Child Welfare Officer for a period of two years. “I may say that never in all my experience in the Children’s Court have 1 met with such juvenile precosity in crime,” said Air. Salmon when dealing with the boys. “This Court,” he continued. “is concerned not only with the welfare of children, but it also has a duty to the public. When children prove themselves to be of such criminal tendency as these, there is a duty to the public to put those children away from the possibility of doing further harm. I have no doubt that many householders in Wanganui have been under the impression that a gang of burglars has been operating, and there is a duty to those householders to have the offendeis put into custody. Ringleader’s Bach. The charges preferred against the four boys were uf three natures: theft, wilful damage and breaking and entering. From the evidence produced by Detective J. Mun ay, who conducteo the case for the police, assisted by Constable E. Christmas, it was shown that a boy aged 16, whose parents reside elsewhere, and who had been boarding in a bach by himself, had been committing offences during the past two years. The detective stated that the boy had been connected with every offence, and had apparently been the ringleader. He had formed a well under the flooring of his room, where the stolen articles had been placed. There were 31 charges of theft preferred against him, 28 of wilful damage, and five of breaking and entering. A second boy, aged 16, who lived with his parents, had evidently been the second member of the gang, and was charged with 18 counts of theft, 26 of wilful damage, and three of breaking and entering. Both this boy and the ringleader will be sent to Borstal for three years. A third boy, who will be two years at the institute, is over 15 years of age, was charged with 1U counts of theft, two of wihul damage, and two of breaking and entering. 1 lie fouith is 14 years of age, and is a schoolboy, and his father died nine years ago. He was charged with six counts of theft, 23 of wilful damage and two of breaking and entering. He is to receive the supervision of the Child Welfare Officer.

Air. B. C. Haggitt and Mr. C. H. CEnkurd both appeared lor two boys each, and said that all the offences were admitted. As the list of charges would have taken about an hour to read, and counsel each had a list, Uie case was proceeded with and the charges not announced. Air. J. Alanley, secretary of the Wanganui branch of the Y’.AI.C.A., and Mr. Broadhead, both spoke in favour of the ringlcadei. “Frog Gang’’ Fo.med. In outlining the activities of the boys, i’ljtcctivc Aiurray said that tue first and the third boys had been concerned in offences in the early stages of the series, dating back about cignt or ten months, and they had committed offences in company with one another. It appeared that about August, the third boy mentioned dropped out with the ringleader, who had then taken up active operations with the other two boys. They had assumed the name of “The Frog Gang,” and had committed a great deal of damage and window smashing. They had broken and entered into Alcssrs. D,obbs Bros.’and had stolen goods to the value of £l5, most of which had been recovered. They had gained entrance by means of a skeleton key which the ringleader had in his possession. The Intermediate School was also entered, and tools had been stolen, while the Keith Street School had also been entered. The wilful damage charges referred to the deliberate breaking of windows in the St. John’s district and in Wan-

gunui generally. Ihe three boys would rule round on their bicycles ou a Sunday evening in the vicinity of y.Jtl o’clock aim throw stones through occupied buildings. They had also stolen tne mouthpieces of telephones and a complete telephone had been taken Irom the Oppenheimer’s Casing Co. a laeiory. items of electrical equipment had also been stolen, and tuey appeared to have had a mania for stealing electric globes. Detective Murray said that his in quiries went to show that the ring lender had been concerned with pine tically every offence committed. Most Of the stolen property had been taken to the place where he had been residing in a bach, detached from the remainder of the building, where he could come and go as he liked. He had dug a well under the flooring, and a good deal of the stolen property was de posited there. The second boy had alsc been actively- concerned with the ring leader and they had worked consist ently together, committing the grcatei number of offences. A very great amount of damage had been done bv window smashing, amounting to some £25, while the pioperty stolen was valued in the vicinity of £BO. Dentist’s Bill Paid. Mr. Haggitt read a letter from a uiuuugvr ox one of the Wanganui theatres stating tiia u one of the boys had been employed there for some time, und that he could speak well of him inc buy had often found valuable articles in the theatre, and, in all cases, had returned them either io the custodiau or to himself. Another lad, said Axi. Haggitt, had used the money stolen tor the puipose of having his teeth attended to by a demist. He considered taat one boy had been the moving

spirit of the offences, and that many oi them had been carried out with a spirit of bravado. A sound thrashing h-.d been given one of the boys when toe jiuienis had heard of the offences. Mr. Clinkard asked Detective Murray wh ther the name of the “Prog Gang’’ had teen promoted by the boys having read a book called “The Fellowship of the Frog. ’ 1 The detective said he believed that that was so. • Kr Clinkard: At one stage, t 0 beionic leader of the gang, the boys had a eon petition of breaking the gieatest -lumber of windows. Do you know wl ether that is so l D. lectivc Murray: I do not know. Parents' Neglect. Addressing Mi. Salmon, counsel said that .ue ringleader's parents resided elsewhere, and were much upset over the whole incident. They were anxivus to have him home. Mr. Salmon: After the damage has been done! They neglect him fur four years and let him remain away from home during that period, do not bother about tho supervision he is getting, and then, when the damage is done, thev want him back. Air. Alanley was shocked to hear ot the trouble tne ringleader had got into. He said that the boy showed gicat promise. He would succeed at anything he took on, and, unfortunately, had been successful in his first offences and had continued with the encouragement. Had he been checked he would never have offended again. “He would have made a wonderful criminal if he had carried on, but he will make a wonderful citizen if he is set on the right path,” added Air. Alanley. Air. Salmon: What about the skeleton key? 1 see it is made in Wanganui. No one is allowed to do that. Dctectixt* Alunay: It has apparently been filed down, sir. Air. Clinkard said that the key had belonged U) the door of the boy’s bach. Tribute to Detectives. “Owing tu the careful and thorough manner in which Detective Aiurray and Constable Christmas have prepaied the charges and the analysis they have made, it is clear who was the ringloader and the prime mover in all the matters,” said Air. Salmon, after hearing all the evidence. “He is described as tho leader of the gang, and 1 think that is correct. I also think it is quite clear from the offences that the second boy made a very able first-lieutenant. It has been said for the thiid boy that he dropped out of the proceedings some few months ago, but there is no doubt that he displayed cunning, for he knew that the police had heard about the matter. His record up to that time was bad enough.”

Referring to the boy aged 14 years 3 months, Air. {Salmon said that tho other boys were at least two years his elder, and it was quite clear that he had been led. He would, therefore, be placed under supervision for three years. If he behaved himself, he would hear no more of the matter. Mr. Salmon warned him that he had been in extremely dangerous company. The other boys were punished as already stated, nnd an order was made for the return of the stolen property. Port Gisborne to Load Produce. Another overseas vessel to load produce in the Wanganui roadstead was to arrive this morning shortly after daybreak, this being the Commonwealth and Dominion Line’s Port Gisborne. She will load 14,506 freight carcases of meat, including 9045 carcases of lamb, 1750 quarters of beef, 50 tons of boneless beef, and 1700 carcases of mutton. In addition, tho Port Gisborne will take 10,000 boxes of butter, 2000 crates of cheese and genera) cargo. She is scheduled to leave on Wednesday for New Plymouth.