A CURIOUS CASE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 10 July 1880, Page 3

A CURIOUS CASE.

(bt telegraph.) Christcktjrch, Jnly 9. An extraordinary case was heard at the Ivttelton R.M. Conrt to-day. A lad of 14 named Bradley, was charged with stealing some articles of clothing valued at jhe boy bore an excellent character, *33 treasurer of a Juvenile Templar l^ 0 jtre, and had never had any difficulty withM 3 accounts, and at heap of witnesses rove him a most exemplary character. |he explanation was that he wa3 under t jj e influence of hi 3 sister, a confirmed kleptomaniac, who wa3 also charged with leceiving the stolen property. Her father sud she had been so afflicted for 13 years, pr. Boose gave evidence to the effect that what he had heard of the girl's career from her aunt, some few months since, he had no doubt but that she was suffering from kleptomania. An instance 0 f that disease had been under his notice jaJort time back. The disease appeared to him to be an ntter destruction of the ootid conscience. The disease presented several aspects. He was of opinion that sending the subject to gaol wonld not be a curative measure. He was also of opinion tint kleptomania extended to prompting others to steal for the sake of possessing object coveted. The desire of possesion seemed to predominate over every feeling of conscience as to right or wrong. It was abo shown that the members of the family had to lock their personal property up to prevent the girl stealing it. Under the circumstances the Bench adjourned the case for consultation.