“HAVE BEHAVED WELL"

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 274, 19 November 1943, Page 3

“HAVE BEHAVED WELL"

MAJORITY OF YOUNG LADS JUDGE LECTURES TWO OFFENDERS. (P.A.) Auckland, Nov. 18. “The very great majority of the young lads in this city and province during the present exceptional circumstances, due to war, have not only worked well but have behaved well,” said Mr. Justice Fair to-day in sentencing two youths on a series of breaking and entering offences. “Most young men have done good work and heavy work in essential industry anti at home, and the community has reason to take just pride in their work and good behaviour in shops, workshops and factories. The fact that the great majority have behaved themselves in this way deserves public recognition on an appropriate occasion. When their fathers and brothers come back from fighting they will be able to say: ‘Well done. You’ve done your part while we were fighting abroad.’ ” The Judge said other youths had succumbed to temptations of wartime. The youths for sentence were Walter George Ker, aged 17, labourer, and Noel Joseph Forsyth, aged 18, waiter, for whom Mr. Allan Moody, counsel, made a strong plea for clemency because of his age and the effect of radio and picture film rubbish in contributing to youthful folly. Mr. S. Cleal, for the Crown, said the prisoners carried out a series of 19 offences within four months. The total money taken was £BB and the property stolen was worth £ll6, of which £45 worth was not recovered. Both youths were committed to Borstal for two years.