A SHARP BOY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2489, 12 March 1881, Page 2

A SHARP BOY.

A sharp little fellow named Alexander M’Naught was brought before his Worship at tin 3 Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday (says Thursday’s “ Southland Times,”) and charged with having absconded from the Industrial School, Caversharn,Dunedin, on the 4th inst. He gave as hi s reason for leaving the school that <’ they wanted to put girl’s clothes

on him.” Whether this be correct or not, the fact remains that the little chap who is only KPyears old, alleges that he walked from Dunedin to Bdendale in three days—a distance by rail of 116 miles, although somewhat less by road. He said that he knew from his geography that Invercargill lay south from Dunedin, and taking the telegraph wires and occasionally the railway, for his guide, he started on his long tramp. On reaching Waipahi Junction he got into “ a corner,” not knowing which line to follow, but by a little judicious inquiry was put on the right road. His Worship said he should go back to the school again and continue his education as he was in the Fifth Standard. This book, the boy said, was the highest taught in the school, and he had two years to remain there. His Worship thought is would bo a good thing if some one wold take the boy from the institution on license, and sent him back for three years. M'Naught says tlip.t be has a brother at a station on the Mataura. Being asked if people were good to him by the way, he said he did not ask anybody for food. The children are not taught any trades in the Industrial School, he said, but the boys had to pump water before going to lessons in the morning. Taking the distance and the time in which it was traversed, together with the want of food, the boy’s statements scum almost incredible. The information given as to the date of his “ levant ” from the school must either be incorrect, or he had been gone a week before he was missed, as he says he was at work for a farmer near Edendale for a week, and received 9s from him, with fpart of which he paid his fare to Invercargill.