ASHBURTON THEFTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 February 1926, Page 2

ASHBURTON THEFTS.

FOUR LADS CHARGED. ASHBURTON, February 12. "This is an awful state of affairs that,- m a small community like Ashburton, offences of this kind have been committed almost with impunity,” said Mr Mosley, 5.. M., when hearing 28 charges of damage, theft and breaking and entering against four lads who appeared at the Juvenile Court. Their ages are from 14 to 16 years. The police stated that a day book stolen Irom a store contained a statement of debts totalling over one hundred pounds and it had not been recovered. The MagUrate reduced the charges to simple theft. The police said one hoy hail refused to make a statement for some time, counsel saying the ringleader of the gang, who was committed to the Borstal Institute last week, had used threats of violence if he divulged information. The Probation Officer said the mother of one hoy had come across a letter from the ringleader, in which he stated he was going to become a “ master cracksman.” One boy elected to take a thrashing instead of “ going away.” 'Hie others were ordered eight strokes of the birch, and were placed on two years’ probation, and were ordered to make restitution for the goods not recovered. Another lad of 17, not connected, with the others, appeared on charges’’*’ - principally of damage to and theft from gas meters. This case was adjourned to allow enquiries to lie made as to apprenticing him outside Ashburton.