SUB-NORMAL BOYS

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3919, 16 March 1929, Page 2

SUB-NORMAL BOYS

BROTHERS’ ESCAPADES. Masterton, M&rch 14. Remanded on a charge of unlawfully and wilfully placing three plugs of gelignite on the railway line at Newman near Eketahuna, a Masterton boy, 15| years, appeared in the Children’s Court before Mr. Miller, S.M., this morning. He was ■further charged jointly with a younger brother, aged 14, with wilfully setting fire to three buildings over a period of four months, one being an occupied residence. The elder boy pleaded guilty to the four charges against him, and the younger to three charges of arson. Sergeant Dwyer, in relating the circumstances of the outbreaks of fires, stated that the first with which the boys were charged, occurred on 20th November, 1928, when a building, the property of Mr. 11. H. Dauiell, of Masterton, was completely destroyed. On the following night another outbreak of fire occurred in an unoccupied house situated in Chapel Street, the property of Robert William Drain. During the course of inquiries following the second suspicious outbreak, one of .the boys was interviewed, and stated that half an hour before the outbreak he saw tw T o swaggers go into the house and shortly after they left, a fire broke out. The third fire occurred on Bth February last, when a shed .belonging to the Masterton Borough Council was daimaged. One of the boys only was concerned in the last charge. The hoys at first denied all knowledge of the cause of the outbreaks, but later made a comjpleta confession. On being asked why they had set fire to the buildings, they said that they liked to see the fire brigade turn out. The police stated that the. elder boy w T as intellectually weak. The Magistrate, when addressing the .elder boy, said that he was charged with three serious offences. Fortunately the placing of the gelignite on the railway line did not do serious damage, but it was a senseless and diabolical act. He took into consideration the fact that the boys did realise that without the caps the gelignite was not dangerous. It was apparently put on the line with the idea of hearing the noise. The boy was evidently subnormal. He would place him under the supervision of the Child Welfare Officer and commit him. to the Weraroa Training Farm. Tbe younger iboy was evidently under the influence of his brother, said his Worship, and he placed him under the care of the Child Welfare Officer.