WERAROA ESCAPEES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2164, 17 August 1920, Page 3

WERAROA ESCAPEES.

MENACE TO NEIGHBOURHOOD,

The fact that in the past many lads undergoing detention at the Weraroa State training farm have escaped from custody, and have committed thefts and various ille-

gitimate acts, has not apparently

had the effect .of instituting a /bore • stringent supervision on the part of the authorities in charge. The hoys continue to pursue a policy of freedom, and the number of sueh ('uses are by no means deereasing. Not only do they occasion extra work for the police, Imt they have become

a distinct menace to the neighbour-

hood. A handy store'or farmhouse is their usual objective, from which they invariably collect a few imme-

diate necessaries to enable them to continue their -progress. Last Tuesday two escapees appeared at the Palmerston Court. One of them hud mined a plate-glass window valued at £4O, in ,a.Levin shop. Cue of the

boys was sent to the South Island, while the other was taken hack to the farm. On Saturday morning another escapee named W illiam Roberts was charged with having broken and entered a store at Waiknnae and stolen various goods

(including an overcoat) to the value of £7 10s (id, a dressing ease valued at £7 10s. He had stolen a bicycle. It was stated that the lad effected an entrance hy breaking the glass in a door. He made air attempt to open the safe with a tire poker, hut succeeded only in breaking away the brass Haps over the keyhole. The iiiniiiitiation had been supplied hy a candle, which had set lire to the wallpaper. He extinguished the fire himself. On the counter the youthful “desperado" had a stout ruler, and he admitted that if any person had interfered with (be progress of his operations he would have dealt him a blow on the head. A. medical certificate was produced to the effect that the hoy was not mentally defective, Iml was, nevertheless, a fit subject for an institution near Oaraaru, for weakminded children, to which he was ordered. Manawatu Times.