CRIME AND MAORIS

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

CRIME AND MAORIS

OFFENCES BY BOYS PREVALENCE DEPLORED MAGISTRATE’S COMMENT SHOPKEEPER UPBRAIDED (Special to the Herald.) WAIROA, this day. Concern at the number of offences committed by Maori boys between the East Cape and Wairoa was expressed by Mr. J. H. Luxfford, S.M., when presiding at the monthly sitting of the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. Speaking first to youthful offenders in the Children’s Court, Mr. Luxford said that the frequency with which Maori boys were appearing before him in the Children's Courts in the area mentioned was a matter of the gravest concern. There was arising a class of boy who was always on the look-out for something to steal.

“These boyr are not playing thrgame and the sooner they realise the hopelessness of trying to get something for nothing the better it will be for them,” said Mr. Luxford. Later, when dealing with Simon Raffol in the Police Court, Mr. Luxford repeated his warning and at the same time was trenchant in his criticism of any person who, in any way, connived in these offences. Received Stolen Goods

Raffol, a GO-year-old Assryian shopkeeper of Wairoa, appeared on four charges of receiving various goods from four youths, well knowing the articles to have been dishonestly obtained.

His Worship again spoke in strong terms of the position amongst the Maori boys and said that only that morning he had dealt with six Maori boys in the Children's Court, whilche had also had before hint other Maori boys 'in Gisborne and on the East Coast.

Addressing Raffol, Mr. Luxford said that it was bad enough to have the Maori boys stealing, but when they converted their spoil into money, aided by the laxity and connivance of persons in business then these persons must bear their portion of the responsibility. “You took the goods at a grossly under-valued price,” commented the magistrate. “You or anyone who acts like you helps to encourage in wrongdoing boys who are unable to stand on their own feet like European boys. Such an action only serves to help the boys in a career of dishonesty. “Such a case warrants six months’ imprisonment, but, in view of your age, I will inflict a fine.”