YOUNG THIEVES

Hokitika Guardian, 11 January 1932, Page 2

YOUNG THIEVES

TWO LADS BEFORE COURT. (By Telegraph —Per Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, January 9. At the Children’s Court this morning, two boys, one aged ten and the other fifteen and a-half years, admitted breaking and entering a dwellinghouse and stealing several small article, “My father has got a set on me,” said the older boy, breaking into tears, “You know that your father has been ill and that he had to go to Sunnyside for a while, don’t you?” said Mr H. P. La wry, S.M. “That may account for your being knocked about and the treatment you received,” Sergeant Hyland said that the elder boy had stayed outside a house while the smaller one had gone inside and stolen a few articles, all of which had since boon recovered. “There is nothing to do but send them to an industrial school,” said the Magistrate. The father said he had had a good deal of trouble witli the two boys, “They are completely out of control,” he said, “and will do nothing I tell them.”

“it is clear that they are not under proper control,” said the Magistrate; and to the boys he added: “You are not being punished for this crime. It is in your own interests that you are being taken away from home to bo looked after properly.”

The boys were committed to the care of the State.