JUVENILE COURT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 98, 18 January 1918, Page 3

JUVENILE COURT

Mr. S. E. M'Carthy, S.M., was Higaged for a considerable time yesterday dealing with six lads. Olio boy was charged with having in his possession on January 9 an airgun; and as the probation officer to the Education Department gave him a

good character lio was convicted and ' discharged, and the air-gun confiscated. Two other lads wcr:> also charged with being in possession of an air-gun. Senior-Sergeant "Willis stated that the two lads wero firing the gun in a backyard, and another lad attracted by the noise peeped through the pailings, and, whether by accident or design, he was shot at, the pellet, strikiug him on the forehead. 'J'he Magistrate said there was one shop where these weapons were sold, and the proprietor ought to he 'warned. One of the lads was convicted and discharged, his general character being good, but lie was ordered to report to the probation officer once a month. The other lad, with his brother and two others were concerned in various escapades of the "Deadwood Dick" character. The ages of the lads are 12, 13, ]o, and 16, the two elder hoys being brothers. Tlioy were charged with planing a live caitridge on the tram .*.'ne on January 12. On the following day they transferred their attentions to 'J'itahi Bay, where they entered tho dwelling of Arthur Kmmett, a. fai>-or, and solo a silver matchbox and a purse containing about 305., and regaled themselves on the good things in the house. They then secured a horse, which they intended riding, from a paddock, and being in the neighbourhood of Johnsonville they raided a stable and secured three bridles, considerjng it possible that they might come across other horses, when the spare bridles would he useful. The eldest lad was also charged with stealing 16s. 9d., and also a pair of tennis shoes valued at 3s. lid. Tho youngest lad had not previously been before the Court, and he was given a good character. Tie was ordered to report -to the probation officer for a period of twelve months. The two elder lads w ere seni to Burnham, the father being ordered to pay Bs. a week in respect to each, and 'lie other lad was ordered to thi: school at Stoke, the father being ordered to pay 2s. 6d. per week.