TWO YOUTHS CHARGED.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5035, 4 October 1926, Page 2

TWO YOUTHS CHARGED.

RECENT PAEROA BURGLARIES. THREE YEARS’ PROBATION. At the Paeroa Police Court this/ morning, before Mr J. W. Poynton, S.M., Ramaki Pereniki, a, youth, was charged with stealing the sum of £4 17s 6d, the property of Miss L. S. Marshall, Paeroa, on September 13; also with the theft of £4 10s on September 16 from Miss Marshall, and on the same date the theft of a book valued at 2sl 6d, the property of Mr F. C. Blyth. Pereniki was also charged with breaking and entering the premises. of Brocket and. Shand on September 18 and stealing goods and cash to the value of £1 18s. On the application of the Police the last chajrge was reduced to one of common theft.

It was elected to try the case summarily. Mr E. W. Porritt appeared foraccused and entered a plea of guilty.

H. R. Wiilliams, Paeroa, was arraigned on the same charge, which was also reduced to one of theft. He pleaded guilty. 'ln outlining the case—the two proceedings being taken together Senior-Sergeant Maclean said that Williams was) the eldest son in a large family who were in poor circumstances. Accused had confessed under pressure fo having associated with undesirables a,nd had spent his wages in gambling. It appeared that the parents h'ad no control over him. Pereniki was also a youth who had got out of control and required toi be placed under restraint, In justice to Pereniki Sergeant Maclean said that he had been truthful when taxed with the thefts and assisted the. police in every way.

Mr Porritt pleaded for a chance for Pereniki, and said that he had friends who were prepared to help him. If probation could not be granted, Mr Porritt suggested that Per®niki should be sent to the Borstal InstituteThe. Magistrate said he did not like committing the youths, to an institute, although he realised that something should be done. The .accused were convicted and placed on probation for a term of three years on strict terms. Pereniki was ordered to make restitution of 22s and Williams was ordered to pay IBs.

The Magistrate adfliejssed the Recused and pointed: out that he had. given them a chance, and they were getting every advantage to go straight. It was the last chance they wiould get, 'and their companions, employment, and pleasures woiuld be under the supervision of the police.