BOYS' ESCAPES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 82, 4 October 1938, Page 18

BOYS' ESCAPES

CHANGES AT WERAROA

MINISTER'S CONCERN

"I am seriously concerned that there should be such abscoridings and, for the information of your association, I may say that the whole institution is now in the process of reorganisation," stated the Minister in Charge of Police (the Hon. P. Fraser) in dealing with the Weraroa Training Farm in a letter to the Automobile Association (Wellington) last night. The association had interested itself in the question when in a recent escape boys converted cars. "With improved staffing, which is being arranged, and with better accommodation and facilities which are to be provided, it is hoped if not. to eliminate absconding altogether, at least to reduce it to an absolute minimum," the Minister continued. The Minister said that the number of boys who absconded from the farm and converted cars was, comparatively! speaking, not large, but as a rule more publicity was given to their escapades. With reference to the remarks relating to a 14-years-old boy concerned in a conversion case, the Minister said that the boy's statement to the police that he had not before driven a car was incorrect. In Dunedin previously he had twice been before the Court for similar offences. The Minister's letter said that the boy was also reported to have converted a car belonging to the local automobile association officer and it was stated that this was made easier by the ignition keys being left in the car while it was unattended. "This has also occurred in other cases," said the letter, "and it is suggested that if motorists were to ensure | that the keys were removed when cars were left unattended this would help to reduce the number of car conversion cases, as, apart from the training farm boys, there are always others apparently who are looking for opportunities to convert cars to their own use," continued the letter. "I quite agree with your executive that the matter is a serious one, and I trust that the action which is being taken will have the desired effect so far as the training farm is concerned," concluded the Minister.