YOUTH IN TROUBLE.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 225, 23 February 1928, Page 1

YOUTH IN TROUBLE.

PIGS GIVEN POISON. A Question of Kindness. A youth, aged 19 years, whose name was ordered to ‘be suppressed, appeared before Mr. F. W. Platts, S.M., in the Matamata Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday on a charge of having committed the crime of mischief by wilfully giving poison to a number of pigs, and also with stealing four bottles of wine valued at 245. In each case the property belonged to A. A. Thompson, of Te Poi. Mr. G. G. Bell, on behalf of the accused, entered a plea of guilty on the charge of stealing and not guilty on the other count. A. A. Thompson, farmer, of Te Poi, stated that he had given the boy final notice at the beginning of January. When he discovered the pigs "he knew at once by their actions that they had been poisoned, and he taxed the boy with the offence. The youth at once denied the crime but later admitted having committed it. He stated that the boy had been dismissed many times, but had pleaded ■with him and had been given chances. He gave a number of instances to illustrate the boy’s attitude and capabilities as a farmer.

To Mr. Bell : He knew the boy had not had much experience, but he expected him to do his best for 15s per week. He had realised that the boy would require to be shown how to do certain work and he admitted that at times he lost his temper and used strong language. Regarding an argument in the cow bail, witness at first denied one having taken place, but later remembered the occurrence. He denied having pulled the boy out of the bail by the hair and having used certain particularly-strong terms, although he admitted placing his hand on the accused’s head. He realised that his language might have had a greater effect on the youth than it would have had on a New Zealander. It was also admitted that the boy must have had some provocation to have caused him to commit such an act as poisoning the pigs. He owed the accused £4 10s, and it was agreed to let the matter rest if the youth made restitution, and it was understood that the £4 10s would be used for that matter. He later discovered the loss of the wine and then went back on his agreement. At this stage accused’s counsel entered a plea of guilty. Concerning the wine, Mr. Bell said the accused had purchased a bottle of wine and had invited a number of boy friends to help consume it. It was not long before the boys felt the effect of the liquor and it was then that the accused realised that there was some wine in Thompson’s garage and got four bottles. It was not deliberate theft but a foolish act while under the influence of liquor.

His Worship agreed that this was and considered that the boy had not received the kindness and consideration that -one would expect a lad coming from the Old Country to receive. But one could not excuse his conduct, nevertheless. There were peculiar circumstances and he would admit the youth to 12 months’ probation, restitution of £3 in the first case and 24s in the second to be made.