ERRING YOUTHS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 20 December 1927, Page 5

ERRING YOUTHS.

TOO MANY DANCE HALLS. In the view of the Chief Justice (Sir Charles Skerrett) dance halls played a large part in the appearance of two youths in the Wellington Supreme Court for sentence yesterday-. Alfred Leo Lewis, 20 years of age, admitted four charges of breaking, entering and theft, while Thomas Joseph Kane, aged 19, admitted one similar charge. Lewis needed discipline, said Mr A. B. Sicvwright, who appeared for the prisoner. His father was prepared to place him under control if he was given a chance. Mr E. Ongley, for Kane, stated that prisoner had work waiting for him if he were admitted to probation. There was no doubt that Kane was led away by Lewis, said Mr P. S. K. Macassey, the Crown Prosecutor. If he could, consistent with his duty, he would accede to Lewis’s father’s request, said His Honour. But the offence which had been committed was a serious one. He had joined the Hutt River Shingle Co. in March last, and remained with them until November. During the whole of that period he had been robbing his employers, and during four occasions since, using a duplicate kev of the premises which he had secretly made, and a strong-room key whicli he had stolen, lie had entered the premises and taken money-. This was not a case in which a. young man who had not attained a full sense of responsibilitv had yielded to a sudden temptation. On the contrary-, this offence had been planned, and there seemed to be no pressure at all. It was quite certain that this crime caused suspicion to be east on a number of innocent, persons. In his own interest, it was desirable that Lewis should be committed to a Borstal institution for a period of two years. A lesser period would be useless. His Honour went on to say that he was willing to believe that Kane had been led astray-; nevertheless, it seemed that he had formed lax habits. Like Lewis, Kane seemed to have been in too constant attendance at dance halls. However, on the recommendation of the Probation Officer, he had determined to placed Kane on probation for two years, provided that he paid £2 11s, the costs of the prosecution, and did not attend any dance halls. This was not an exhortation; if Kane were found breaking this condition ho would be brought before the Court and sentenced.