THEFTS IN WAIROA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20079, 27 October 1939, Page 2

THEFTS IN WAIROA

BOYS BEFORE COURT SUPERVISION ORDERED 1 (Special to the Horald.) WAIROA, this day. A series of thefts from departmental stores in Wairoa led to the appearance of three Maori boys before Mr. J. 11. Luxford, S.M., in the Children’s Court, a total of 10 charges being heard. The thefts included a wide variety of articles, including playing cards, watches, fountain-pens, torches, a tennis racket, football cases, and brooches.

Prosecuting, Sergeant D. Clark said that the thefts had been occurring over a long period. Two of the boys worked mostly together, with the third boy brought in later on. The elder boy of the trio was a very bright type, and was the “mastermind” of the gang! This boy was under the care of his step-mother, who did all she could for him. His practice was to take the other boys into shops and steal articles, which were sold later. The elder boy was charged with 'he theft of £5 in money, stealing this sum from the purse of a woman in poor circumstances. Most of the money hacl been spent. For the chief offender, Mr, G. dc V. Robinson said that the case was a distressing one.

Ilis Wc 'sbip told the defendants 'hat they were not playing the game bv their actions. It was necessary that the elder boy be taught to respect Hie property of others and he would he placed under the care of the superin'endent of the Child Welfare Department for two years, Mr. Luxford adding a proviso to the affect that the defendant be sent to a school outside of Wairoa, with a view to correcting himself. The other two boys were placed under the care of the child welfare officer in Wairoa for two years.