PUKEKOHE EAST.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 251, 16 February 1917, Page 3

PUKEKOHE EAST.

PILLAGING THE SCHOOLHOUSE. At a Juvenile Court held by Mr F. V. Frazer, S.M., at Fukekohe yestetf'ay five children (ore girl atd four boy*), whose ag..s ranged from 13 to 15 sears, appear d before His Worship in connection with a raid on the Fukekohe East School and master's residence, said to have been committed by them on seme date between Januarv Ist and 14th. It appeared that the precocious youegsters mßde a forcible entry into the buildings whilst thev were closed for the Christmas vacation and had commandeered various articles. ThU8 r o-:e of (he quintet calmly annexed a wheel from off a bicycle left in a shed attached to the eebcol and used it in place of a damaged wneel of a bicjch of which the pilferer was the owner. Another of the party either tud literary tastes or tbcugbt that a reduction of school books would render his toils less arduous when studies recommenced for certain volumes w<:re puiloired. Another, possibly with a childish liking for preserves, the season for the making of which was at band, made a haul of some some empty jars. Photographic plates, a lady's overcoat, etc., were amongst the other things of which possession was taken, all being the property of Mr Jas. T. Meiklejohn, the master.

Sergeant Cowan informed the Magistrate that most of the stolen goods had been restored but the case was brought as a warning to the culprits.

Messrs Alan Moody and R. J. Coates appeared for two of the families concerned and pleaded for leniency for the delinquents. The Magistrate, after s f ernly kcturing the defenders, dismissed the caae against one who had simply acted as a spectator. The uther four weie put on probation for six months, with the understanding that if in the meantime their conduct was good a conviction would not be recorded against tbtm. They were ordered to report themselves to Sergeant Cowan once a month and to attend Church or Sunday school once every Sunday, the parents to make good the value of damages committed aDd of articles unreco«ered to the extent of £1 ss.