JUVENILE OFFENDERS (REPORTS BY STIPENDIARY MAGISTRATES ON). [In continuation of H.-20a, 1910.]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1913 Session I, H-20b

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1913. NEW ZEALAND.

JUVENILE OFFENDERS (REPORTS BY STIPENDIARY MAGISTRATES ON). [In continuation of H.-20a, 1910.]

Presented, to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

AUCKLAND. Sib, — Auckland, 31st May, 1913. I have the honour to report upon the working of the Juvenile Court for the year ended the 31st December, 1913, as follows: — Attached hereto is a return showing the number of juveniles charged with offences, and the manner in which they were dealt with, during the year 1912. Similar returns are also attached for the years 1911 and 1910. The returns show a considerable increase in the number of offenders brought before the Court in 1912 over the number in 1911. The number in 1910, however, was nearly as great as in 1912. Ido not think, therefore, that anything is to be inferred from a comparison of the figures for the different years to which it is my duty to draw your attention. It will be noticed, however, on examination of the columns of the return setting out the ways in which the offenders have been dealt with, that in 1912 a larger proportion of the offenders brought before the Court were either admonished and discharged, or convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon, and a smaller proportion committed to industrial schools. So far as I have been able to observe there has not been a noticeable number of juveniles brought before the Court on a second occasion. It appears, therefore, that this more lenient method of dealing with juvenile offenders has so far been satisfactory. The Education Department now has an officer in this district part of whose duty is to investigate the home surroundings of juvenile offenders brought before the Court. His report is of great assistance to a Magistrate in deciding what to do with an offender. This officer also keeps under observation offenders who are convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon or who are admitted to probation. It is only a few months since such an officer was appointed for the Auckland District, but I am satisfied that Mr. Shell's work will be found to amply justifyjhis appointment. I have, &c, E. C. CUTTBN, The Hon. the Minister of Justice, Wellington. Stipendiary Magistrate.

Offence. Coni Summoned Admo- %® or appre- nished and hended. discharged. c0 ™ Sent vicied | 1 or- j f e Fined. Whipping. or tence. I F. ! M. F. I M. : F. Committed Indmtrial Withtown, ,°^ r School. I I ■■■ ■ , ■ i M. F. M. F. M. M. j F. M. j F. M. F. M. ! F. M. F. M. P. M. ! F. ! i 1910. Apprentice absenting himself 1 Assault .. .. .. 1 Breaking and entering .. 3 Bicycling on footpath .. 3 Cruelty to animals .. 8 Driving without lights . . ! 1 Galloping on beach . . 3 Having firearms .. 3 Idle and disorderly .... Living with drunkard .. J 1 Living with prostitute . . 1 Mischief .. . . j 28 No means of subsistence .. 5 Playing games in street . . 17 Receiving .. .. 2 Setting off fireworks ,, 7 Sleeping in open air 2 Stone-throwing . , ,, 12 Theft .. ,, : . 50 Uncontrollable ,, ,, 14 2 2 5 1 3 1 .. . . '.'. '.'. ';i . . ; . . 1 I ' * ' " 2 '.'. lj. 5 5 ! 7 i 7 1 I .. ! •' . . i 2 2 ■• i .. ■• i . . j ' i 6 12 '.'.\'i 7 Iβ .'. 1 i '.'. .', 7 1 .. I i "i i . .. .'. 2 18 1 ., 1 : 1 1 3 4 1 5 3 7 13 1 1 ;, I 4 11 3 12 3 34 19 Totals ,,, ..,, 163 26 47 1 39 I 2 18 1 I 5 17.1 2 4 I i . i ; • • ; :" j" ' I ■

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CHKISTCHURCH.

Sib,— . Magistrates' Office, Christchurch, 24th May, 1913. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your memorandum No. 2057 of the 15th instant, and in reply to report that the working of the Juvenile Court in this district still operates greatly to the advantage of all concerned, parents and children. It has now become so much an important part of our judicial system as to call for no special comment. Its value is widely recognized. I encloss a return showing the number of juvenile offenders brought before the Court during the years 1910, 1911, and 1912. I have, &c, H. W. Bishop, The Hon. the Minister of Justice, Wellington. Stipendiary Magistrate.

Summoned or apprehended. Convicted Aj1rn and orAdmo- 1 , , nished and a " eu „ Fined, discharged. c0^ r up Sentence. ■Whipping. Committed to Industrial School. Dismissed. Withdrawn Order made. Offence. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. I- , . M. F. M. F. M. V. M. F. 1911. Absconding from industrial school Assault Assault (indecent) Bicycling on footpath Breaking and entering False pretences Frequenting streets ;. Getting off moving ferry .. Having firearms Lighting fires Mischief No means of subsistence .. Playing games in street Obscene language Receiving Rogue and vagabond Setting off fireworks Stone-throwing Theft .. Uncontrollable 1 2 1 4 4 1 1 3 4 19 I :i l 2 2 74 5 3 I 2 14 i i ! 1 1 ] .1 4 3 4 *i 1 1 1 1 1 1 J 2 1 I ] ] I I 5 2 1 (I 1 4 17 5 3 1 5 Totals 133 8 (S7 2 14 5 5 26 6 10 5 i 1912. Annoying public Assault Breaking and entering Frequenting streets Furious riding Having firearms Holding communication with inmates of industrial school Horse wandering No means of subsistence .. Mischief Playing games in street Rocoiving Smoking Mantal defective Stone-throwing Threatening behaviour T.ief t Uncontrollable 4 6 1 1 9 2 1 8 28 3 2 1 6 2 1 i 4 1 i 4 1 ■2 4 3 4 1 6 1 8 7 2 16 3 1 1 4 1 3 1 4 3 102 9 4 i .. I 1 3 3 i . , 4 2 4 4 24 2 45 6 20 9 2 2 4 i i ■■ i ■• Totals 184 21 38 5 73 I 11 I I 6 35 7 9 ! 12 4 4 i .. * Committed for sej Ltence.

I ■■si a i *^ ■S Sf II o a 3 i I I Is % H !§■ §a ■ as! 6 i I-, =| a I i If I 1 I Offence. •5 ft ft 5 n M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. 1910. Attempted arson Breach of the peace Breaking and entering and theft Child dwelling with prostitute .. Child having no means of subsistence Child not unier propar control .. Ohild of indigent parent 2 6 ! I I 2 4 i ] • • •■ ■• 5 i ! 5 2 4 i 5 2 +

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2—H. 20b.

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S p. & oi •21 I i ■§ . •"8 & Cβ a " o S 5 I* a 3 Is !& 111 8 I E I S S-6 4 jl I g .3 \ II I a5 1 a> ■a o Oflenee. M. F. M. F. M. F. i M. I F. M. F. M. I F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. I , . 1910 — continued. Cycling on footpath Cycling at night without light .. Giving false alarm of fire False pretences Letting off fireworks Obscene language Selling newspapsrs on railway . . Tixef t Throwing stones Wilful damage 2 ] 2 3 1 ] 29 5 25 2 *3 4 i i ( 1 2 1 4 5 13 1 /, a ']' ii 1 8 1 Totals 94 13 34 i 17 21 12 2 19 1 1911. Attempted arson Assault Breach of the psace Breaking and entering and theft Child dwelling with prostitute .. Child having no means of subsistence Child not under proper control.. Child of indigent parent Child sleeping in open air Committing nuisance on railway Cycling on footpath Cycling at night without light .. Cycling without bell Driving tradesman's cart Driving too fast over crossing .. Driving vehicle without lights .. Entering domain after hours Giving false alarm of fire False pretences Indecent assault Indecent exposure Letting off fireworks .. Miving railway stock without leave Placing stones on points of tramline Receiving stolen goods Soiling newspapers on railway .. Smoking cigarettes Theft Theft from a dwelling Throwing stones Using firearms J 1 2 14 6 5 30 5 1 3 L2 11 1 2 i 2 1 1 1 4 4 5 1 2] 1 I 1 2 8 :•; 3 5 ) ] 1 2 1 1 2 i 3 1 6 25 4 1 1 17 1 i ] 5 I 4 8 2 i 3 i ] 1 4 I 1 2 3 1 32 2 9 2 2 3 3 I 6 i 1 2 20 3 4 *8 2 i Totals 104 32 58 ] 4 45 24 9 4 1 38 3 1 1912. Allowing horse to wander Arson Bathing without proper costume Breaking and entering and theft Breaking and entering with intent to commit crime Child dwelling with drunkard .. Child dwelling with prostitute .. Child having no means of subsistence Child not under proper control.. Child of indigent parent Child sleeping in open air Cruelty to animals Cycling on footpath Cycling at night without a light Doing an act calculated to frighten public Failing to render service Giving false alarm of fire False pretences Indecent assault Letting off fireworks Smoking cigarettes Theft Throwing stones Using firearms Wilful damage 1 1 2 14 2 2 6 24 (3 2 3 13 ! I 2 4 2 4 15 3 I 1 2 :; i 5 2 i 'k 1 's 6 3 2 2 6 22 (j 2 4 2 4 12 3 1 3 ] 2 7 -i I 1 i 1 1 1 i 1 7 1 1 2 2 55 6 4 45 i i 2 30 r> 4 35 ! 2 1 2 9 1 ii i 3 3 3 4 3 Totals 214 34 1 19 53 2,5 7 3 1 37 92 5 _|

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DUNBDIN. Sir,— Magistrates' Office, Dunedin, 28th May, 1913. As requested by your memorandum of the 15th May, 1913, I have the honour to forward you returns for each of the years 1910, 1911, and 1912, and to report upon the working of the Court during last year. My report of the 24th March, 1910, shows the manner in which cases were then dealt with. The same course has been continued except that the Court has for some time past been held in the Magistrates' Court room or in my own private room. The Court is also held at such a time that the children cannot come into contact with the public in any way. The Juvenile Court continues to be a great success, the results, through the co-operation of the Rev. Axelsen and of the Press (in not publishing names), being eminently satisfactory and encouraging. If the recent proposal to give Magistrates power to make orders attaching children to an industrial school in certain cases be given effect to, I am convinced that it will be of material assistance to the further successful working of the Courts. I have, &c, H. Y. WIDDOWSON, The Hon. the Minister of Justice, Wellington. Stipendiary Magistrate.

o . si P Is 02 || II lid I i 1 ■si "•a : *3 IB 1 !*! ■g« ii .11 jag gs ago ! Ocn O jo ii H si Offence. M. P. M. F. M. F. M. P. M. P. M. P. M. F. M. I M. V. M. F. 1910. Child : Parent in indigent circumstances Child not under proper control Child living with drunkard Child absconding from school.. Theft Mischief Receiving stolen goods Discharging firearms Stone-throwing Having possession of firearms Indecent assault Housobroaking Gaming (" two-up ") Bicycling on footpath Bicycling without lights Football on street Smoking in railway-carriage 14 2 1 1 4r i? 5 1 1 1 6 1 2 1 1 1 12 1 -2 * • • 25 i:i i 4 1 1 8 2 ! ' " 2 1 13 2 1 I2 : 1 ■ .1 2 h 1 1 I 5(«) i lj 6(«) i i i . .1 I . . i •• 1 Totals 2 2 2 18 13 6 96 15 45 3 1 II 1911. Child : Parent in indigent circumstances Child not under proper control Theft Mischief Attempted suicide Stone-throwing Under fifteen smoking Housebreaking Bicycling on footpath .. ... Bicycling without lights 9 1 26 7 1 6 2 5 1 1 11 i 8 7 2 2 1 1 i 7 7 9 1 3 i 11 i 4 i Totals 59 12 21 1 11 i 5 14 1] 1912. Child : Parent in indigent circumstances Child not undor proper control Child living with drunkard Theft Mischief Stone-throwing Having possession of firearms Rogue and vagabond (illegally on premises) Indecent act—insulting person (girl) .. Housebroaking Unregistered dog Bicycling on footpath Bicycling without light 4 20 8 9 3 8 1 6 1 3 I 8 2 6 17 2 4 8 1 4 1 i i i i i 1 l(i) 1 1 1 ■i ■• 2 1 1 "I I " 1 Totals 60 16 17 8 iei 2 9 5 1 2 2 1 •• 12

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WELLINGTON. Sir, —■ Magistrates' Court, Wellington, 12th June, 1913. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your memorandum of the 15th May, 1913, No. 2059, requesting me to furnish a report upon the working of the Juvenile Court during the year ended the 31st December, 1912, and also a return showing the number of juvenile oflienders brought before the Court during the years 1910, 1911, and 1912. In dealing with juvenile offenders the procedure laid down in Part 111 of the Justices of the Peace Act, 1908, is followed. The Juvenile Court is held in the small Courtroom or in the Magistrates' private room, and is usually fixed for 9.30 a.m. or some other suitable hour on the date of hearing. The parents of the juvenile charged are always notified to attend, and generally one of them is present. If the parents do not attend in the first instance, the case is adjourned so that they may be again notified and have a further opportunity of being at the hearing. Mr. T. P. Mills, manager of the Presbyterian Orphanage at Berhampore—an institution interested in the reform of juvenile offenders —makes it a practice to attend regularly at the Juvenile Court. His experience in dealing with juveniles is of great assistance to the Court, and is much appreciated. During the year 1912 forty-six children were brought before the Court charged with having no means of subsistence or for living with undesirable persons. These children were placed in an industrial school. Some of the children dealt with during the year referred to were second offenders. As may be seen from the returns, the charges are varied in character, but by far the greater proportion of them are for offences involving dishonesty. The chief cause which results in the commission of juvenile offences is lack of proper supervision and discipline on the part of the parents. . In all cases the surroundings, school attendance, general habits, and character of the young persons charged are inquired into, and the parents given an opportunity of exercising better supervision over their children. In this respect they can rely on the help and advice of Mr. Mills, who is generally requested to keep the offender under observation so that if his home supervision does not improve he may still be under the eye of one who takes an interest in his conduct. Mr. Mills's work is of considerable value, and could be made more so if he were attached to the Court in some official capacity instead of acting voluntarily or upon request. Second offenders are usually treated more strictly than first offenders, and if their home conditions and surroundings are considered undesirable they are committed to an industrial school. In some cases Mr. Mills has found positions in the country for boys who have been charged on more than one occasion, and in the majority of instances they have given satisfaction to their employers. In a number of cases where the parents have not punished the offender in any way a birching has been ordered as provided by statute and when deemed necessary, but this form of punishment is never ordered where the health of the boy would be affected. The birching is administered by a constable in the presence of a sergeant of police, and in the presence of the parents if they or one of them desire to be present. On the whole, taking into consideration the small number of second offenders who appear before the Court, the Work may be regarded as successful and conducive to the interests and benefit of those young persons brought before the Court as well as to the public. The returns enclosed show the exact number of offenders charged during the different years, together with the nature of the offences and the manner in which the cases were dealt with. I have, &c, W. G. RIDDELL, The Hon. the Minister of Justice, Wellington. Stipendiary Magistrate.

e §■ 11 a 02 H ■g a> || o I a 3 o a ss ■8" 17 if1 s 1 3 h i 1*g I Offence. i s 1 1 s M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. I , . M. F. M. V. M, F. M, F. M. _ I P, i 1910. Theft Receiving stolen property No means of subsistence Living with prostitute Living with drunkard Wilful damage In possession of firearms] False pretences Not under proper control Throwing stones Arson Indecent language Riding bicycle without light .. Playing football in street Allowing horse to wander Driving vehicle on wrong side .. Furiously riding a horse 45 6 20 O 1 10 2 1 1 1 1 1 11 4 6 2 12 19 I 1 12 2 I 2 1 I. 2 2 '2 9 i i 3 •• 1 i 5 1 1 1 1 i i 2 3 1 1 1 Totals 105 17 32 3 12 17 31 16 2 2 i 4 2

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A/rpmMmale Oost •/ Paper. —Preparation, not given; printing (1,500 copies), £6.

By Authority : John Maokay, Government Printer, Wellington.—L9l3, Price 6d.]

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e §• ■si CO H Is to tC I <3 u (H O f s 1 ■ °f ! •g* ' -6 S| I I o 5 is .2 1 3 Offence. M I I 1 E M. F. F. M. If. M. F. F. M. P. M. V. M. F. M. F. M. F. 1911. Theft No means of subsistence Living with drunkard Living with prostitute Wilful damage Not under proper control Throwing stones Placing obstruction in street Evading tram fare Setting fire to scrub Placing obstruction on railway-line Lunacy Indecent assault Aggravated assault Rape 70 I 17 14 3 21 7 9 2 1 1 3 4 15 7 12 2 5 :j2 8 Id 7 3 2 15 1 \ 4 1 6 2 9 9 2 7 3 .5 5 3 *8 2 i i i 3 2 2 2 1 ! *i 2 i . . I Totals ;152 31 35 2 6 i 35 41 25 1 ,13 2 5 2 14 1912. Theft No means of subsistence Living with drunkard Wilful damage False pretences Not under proper control Wandering in street and sleeping in open air Sleeping in open air Throwing stones Attempted theft Assault Attempted suicide Travelling on railway without ticket Setting fire to scrub Negligent riding 99 18 6 28 4 3 2 1 16 5 18 1 9 26 8 Hi 6 3 i 2 2 8 25 10 18 3 6 4 i 1 3 2 1 1 3 10 1 1 1 1 1 i i 1 2 3 6 i i i i i Totals 179 23 47 1 9 34 36 22 4 10 12 27 I ♦ Committed for trial