A ROMANCE OF THE ROAD

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 29, 29 October 1919, Page 9

A ROMANCE OF THE ROAD

A SCHOOLBOY'S ESCAPADES, By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent. Palmerston North, October 28. A youthful escapade, something in the nature of a romance of the road, was related in the Juvenile Court at Palmerston North tjjis morning, before Messrs. M. A, Eliott and S. Abrahams, J.P.'s, in connection with a charge of having been wandering at large without being under propir control, preferred against a little freckly-faced boy, thirteen years of age. Senior-Sergeant Fro.ser said that some time ago the boy had been admitted to a period of probation for his youthful pranks, and the form had not'yet expired when 'ho was taken in charge by a constable who FTad been shown a- document which the boy had said was a cheque for 165.• Bd., but which was nothing but a receipt. The sprgeant rend a statement given voluntary by the lad of his extraordinary doing's. His father was a farmer near Manaia. On Thursday., October IG, the boy did not go to school, and his mother told him in response to a from the teacher that'lie would get into trouble.- Next morning, ho was ridin,g to school on his horse when he became frightened of what his mother had told him, and decided to run away. He got as far as Patef\ on t'he first day, and left his horse in a stahlo for the night, himself repairing to Hancock's Hotel, where he told a man that ho'.was going to Ha-wera, but had missed the train and had no money. JTe was allowed bed and breakfast, aiid decamped in the morning wit'h his horse while the stableman was at breakfast. That dav he reached Wa.itotara about 3 p.m. without having had anything to eat since breakfast. However, he soon remedied that by going to the hotel at Kia l'wi. putting his horse in the stable, and telling tile licensee of the hotel that his uncle and lie were bringing cattle through, but his uncle had stayed at Waitotara. Nothing was mentioned about payment then, so the boy had tea, slept in a bed, and breakfasted on the morrow, wheii ho took his 'horse and made off for Wanganui. Arriving' there he repaired to Cameron's Hotel, and told a similar talo about the cattle and his uncle. Next morning, after having deceived the landlord, ho started for Marton, but lost his way, and landed al Hunterville, w'here he established himself at an hotel, and had tea, bed. and breakfast. He then cleared out again with Ins horse, - and got as far r.s Feilding, and by deluding the people in chargo of the Manchester Hotel staypd two days OirFriday morning he took 'his horse unnoticed, and rodo to Pahnerston North. While trying to obtain a led at the Club Hotel in Palmerston he wais arreted, 1 nnd taken into custody. His mother was present in court, and said that since the first lapse the lad had been quite mly until the last outbreak. and 'had attended school regularly. She did not'think the boy was quite all right. ' Tiie escapades were not premeditated, but were done on the spur of the moment, The mother stated that the lad was of a peculiar disposition—lie could be led easily enough, but it was impossible to drive him. She had fivo sons, mid ho was the third. He was' in tho fifth standard. Mr. Abrahams: Ton have done serious things, You are only a dhild now, but you must check these habits while yon are young. You must always remember that you have n father and mother, and must not he frightened by the prospect of a thrashing if you have deserved*it. The sergeant has been trying t(, help yon, and for the sake of your parents as well as yfliir own T hope you will be a good boy. Be careful, for it means if you don't that this will gvow upon you, Iho probation period wns extended for a further twelve months.