EXTRAORDINARY CAREER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2089, 12 February 1920, Page 2

EXTRAORDINARY CAREER.

BOY HEH.DINH-HEHNEH SENT TO GAOL A plump-faced, enriy-haired Hide Hoy appeared in (be dock of die Supremo Court at Wellington yesterday morning to lu> sentenced for arson, and die observations of the presiding judge, Mr Justice Edwards, revealed dial (he lad has a rather extraordinary history, i The case had been heard at Palmerston North, where the accused, William Walker, pleaded guilty to die charge of arson. ‘•Well, Hoy," said liis Honour, "it must appear to everybody who sees your face —-although yon are older than you 100k —a shocking thing to send a boy of your aye 1 to prison, but you have left society no alternative’ than to do so." llis Honour said the lad. lived with liis parents in llawera, but in July, .191!), ran away from home. He placed an obstruction on the .railway line, a shocking act which risked die lives of everyone aboard the (rain. No doubt he wanted to see a smash, but he did not see one. He was treated very mercifully—too mercifully—Hut he again absconded from home, broke into a shop, and was committed to a. hoys' training farm. Hut there he burnt down two of (he buildings, so he was,sent To Weraroa, where Ity burnt buildings and destroyed about £SOO worth of furniture belonging to one of the officials. The manager of the farm reported that Walker gave no trouble,. but seemed to have a mania for setting lire to buildings, and therefore was a menace to the, public. He considered that the boy should be placed where he could not escape. Unfortunately there was no. place except Weraroa from which it would nol bo difficult to escape. Walker having tried to wreck a train and burnt buildings, it was finite im-' possible that the court could allow him the chance of doing the like again. “1 shall not’ send you for a definite terra of imprisonment," said His Honour, “hut shall leave you to the care of the Prison Board, which is presided over by the Chief Justice, who, if he has a fault at ail, has too great tenderness of heart. He and those benevolent gentlemen associated with him will show you all the consideration you can expect. The sentence of the court is that you be forthwith committed to prison and there detained for reformative purposes for a period not exceeding two years.”