THREAT OF BIRCH

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1932, Page 6

THREAT OF BIRCH

B'OYS W.HO .CONVERT CARS. WARNING BY S.M. DUNEDIN, September 19. The prevalence of the : conversion of motor-cars by juveniles led to a warning being issued by Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., in the Children’s Court this morning that if offences of that type continued there was a prospect of the birch being used on the offenders. Since the beginning of >fhe year eleven juveniles have been dealt with for this offence, and Sub J lnspector Cameron •stated that it was becoming too c»m;jmon. ■ .' ' „ ' Four juveniles appeared before Mr Bartholomew and Mrs Ross charged with unlawfully converting motor-cam to their Own use. Their ages rankc' 1 from 15 t 0.16 yearte. Two of the boys were charged jointly ; and' 1 the others separately, and all pleaded guilty. iSub-Snspector Cameron stress, d the seripus .aspect of the taking of ear . There was always the danger, he said that such cars would be driven recklessly, and that serious injury or even death might result to the. drivers of..t>h° cars or to other pey-ons. Considerin'' the number of cases 'of that kind the* camp before the Court, he suggested that the . birch should be applied to some of the offenders. Addressing two of the' boys, the mag? isbrate said that as , the sub-inspectoi had pointed out, the Court .could order ■ them to be birched, which was. what they really : deserved to bring them to their .senses, "if offences of that type continued in .future, birchings wionld have to be imposed as. a deterrent,/ . The first oa.se this. morning was that of a boy .16 years of age,, who had been before the’ Court twice previously on charges of theft. He was committed to the care of the superintendent of the Child Welfare Department. Two boys, were then charged joint y, •and it was stated that both had be?n before the Court] before.. The magistrate pointed out that after the warring they had had, there was absolutely no excuse .for them. Both really deserved a birching, but the Court would not adopt that course in the present chargee. Each boy was placed under the r supervision of . the' child welfare officer for .twelve months.' .

The fourth 'boy, who was ; making hi first, appearance, had the seriousness of ihits offenoe pointed out to .him -and was placed under the supervision of the child welfare officer for two years.