IMPUDENT ROBBERY BY A BOY.

Kumara Times, Issue 1049, 10 February 1880, Page 4

IMPUDENT ROBBERY BY A BOY.

[nelson COLONIST, JiN. 24.] The lad Thomas Bray, who on Tuesday last was charged with stealing L 5 from the Fox Hill Railway station and remanded, was again brought up on Thursday, when he pleaded guilty. Inspector Acheaon said that since the remand he had made enquiries, and that there, was a Colonial Reformatory at Oaversham, Otago, flis Worship the R.M. said that as an order to send a prisoner to a reformatory need not form part of a judgment, he should lake time to consider the matter. Addressing the boy he said, he was sorry to see one so young before him on so serious a charge, and also to find that there had been two previous convictions against him—one for stealing and another for malicious injury to property. He should commit him to gaol for a month, and in the nieantime would consider at the expiration of that time he would send him to the reformatory for two years. It appears that the boy Bray, who is but 13 years of age, went to Poxhill by the morning train on Sunday last, and having waited his opportunity when the officials had left the platform gained admission to the office through a window, which he must have unfastened. From the office he took L 5 in gold and silver coinage, leaving some notes, and he also appears to have taken a screw driver. He then must have gone to the guard’s van, which was at the Station, where a locked box was found to have been opened and a key abstracted. The boy then walked back to Wakefield, and went to the stationmaster's house and asked for a drink of water. He then awaited the next train, when he took a ticket for Nelson. Whilst waiting for the train he was observed by someone crossing the line to be counting some parcels of silver, and from this incident suspicion rested on the lad when the ; robbery - became known. When taxed with stealing the money, the boy denied any knowledge of the robbery, and gave a specious story as to his actions ; but ultimately finding that too much was known; he stated.that be found a key in the guard’s van, with which he opened the office. However, the box in the Guard’s van bore evidence as to how it was opened, and the key was found to be too large for the lock of the door. From enquiries made by Detective Ede, it appears that, on returning to town, Bray with five other boys went to a shop, where he bought apples] lemonade, and lozenges ; and then he went to another and bought four tins of/Sardinia and some plums. After dropping some half crowns, and coppers out of his pocket he hired a cab, and with his companions went to -the port. He paid-for the cab and then for drinks these boys had at Mr Robinson’s hotel. They again rode to town, .and again Bray paid, but two of the boys left at the Saltwater Bridge. After buying more fruit, &c., he exhibited half a sovereign, three or four half crowns, and some coppers, and said he had plenty more money. One of the boys said he hoped there would not be a noise about it, and Bray replied : “ It’s all right; 1 took it off a drunken man at Fox Hill.” They then went to the Commercial Hotel and had drinks each, and from there went to the Post Boy Hotel and had a small bottle of porter among them, Bray then gave his companions Is 9d each, and they went home. Such a story would have been disbelieved had'it come out in any other way; but it falls, however, with greater force after the remarks made by bur Inspector of Schools in his annual report (published in the Colonist of the 15th inst.) and we again commend his report to the careful perusal of parents. He says, the seminaries where boys learn to swear, to smoke, and to pilfer, are the street corners, where groups of lads, who ought to be at home*, may be seen lounging of an evening. Had the above remarks wanted proof the above case shows how badly the warning was needed, and it is devoutly to be hoped that these warnings will not be lost, and that it will not again be our duty to record such another instance of the result of criminal neglect on the part of parents.