WANDERING YOUTHS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 March 1926, Page 1

WANDERING YOUTHS

WHY ONE LEFT HOAIE

HAMILTON, -March 23. “Your parents evidently don’t want you hack,” said Wyvern Wilson, .B.At., at the Hamilton Court to-day to Ernest Herbert Nicholas Howell, who, with Richard Ai.alier, appeared on remand on charges of being idle and disorderly, with no lawful visible means of support, and with riding on the Limited express without having paid tlie fare. The two young fellows were found at Frankton Junction on Saturday morning, riding at the back of the guard's van, having travelled from Wellington without having paid their fares, as they had only a few shillings between them. Nothing was known about them. The Court withheld action until a reply had been received from the police at Christchurch, whence both youths had wandered, ft was after reading a Christchurch telegram that his Worship addressed the above remark to Howell, who was then asked why lie left the employ of his father, a hawker.

“The last time I was out with him he knocked me out of the cart,” said Howell, mournfully. “Thats why 1 left him. The road was too hard.” (Laughter). “Well,” commented his "Worship, “we will have to get someone else to look after you if your friends won’t.” “By the way. you’re not a son of old man Howell who always is getting drunk in charge of a horse and cart, arc you. Howell asked his Worship suddenly, as memories of his Christchurch Court, days flashed upon him. Howell admitted this was so. His AVorship: “He’s quite unfit to look after you. He was always promising to give up the horse and cart, hut soon afterwards he was found drunkin charge, of a vehicle.” “He signed the horse and cart over to me,” declared Howell, “but he took it back again almost immediately.” Howell was convicted and admitted to probation for two years, a special condition being refund to the Railway Department, within fourteen days, the amount of the fare from Wellington to Frankton Junction. His AVorship impressed upon the youth that during the period he would be under surveillance of the probation officer, whom he would have to satisfy that he was working steadily. Howell (interrupting) : But 1 mightn’t he able to get a job. His AVorship: The probation officer will certainly help you out in that direction. Howell (not yet satisfied): But can T gel liis address afterwards? The Alagistrate: Oh, you will get his address all right. (Laughter). Alaher, who was employed in a draper’s shop in Christchurch, seemed to enjov better home ties, for a telegram stated that his parents were anxious that he should return. He also was admitted to probation for a similar term on condition that his parents forwarded the fare from Hamilton to Christchurch. He also will have to make arrangements for reimbursing the Railway Department for the fare which he evaded.