BOY’S STRANGE CASE.

Shannon News, 21 September 1923, Page 4

BOY’S STRANGE CASE.

INFATUATED BY TRAINS. MATTER FOR SPECIALIST. SYDNEY, September 6. A curious instance of a boy’s infatuation for trains was revealed in a difficult case which came before the Children’s Court in Perth (Western Australia) a few days ago. The boy, it was said, was nine years of age, and was in the third standard at school... About four months ago he became obsessesed with a passion for railway trains. Besides playifig at “trains” with, blocks of wood when at home and . acting the porter, calling out the names of stations, and collecting imaginary tickets, he acquired a habit of frequently railway stations and going'for train rides by himself * without a ticket. 1 He rail away from home several times and Was returned to his mother by the police on twelve separate occasions from distant places.

Complaints were laid by the Railway Department ahd other officials, who. were obliged to be continually on the watch for this boy. Inspector Bulley suggested that the trouble ;arose from . “mental ..conflict,” of some kind, and therefore needed special investigation by a psychologist or mental specialist. He recommended that the boy should be sent to the Seaforth Mental Home, where he could be given proper attention under the observation of a trained man, and, if necessary, would be examined by other mental doctors. The boy was sent to Seaforth for three months for observation.