PICTURES AND NOVELS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 957, 28 April 1930, Page 10

PICTURES AND NOVELS

REASONS FOR DARGAVILLE YOUTH’S ESCAPADES FOUR YEARS’ PROBATON “If you are granted probation, are you prepared to make good, to give up your escapades and to keep away from racecourses?” "Yes, sir,” was the ready reply to the Judge of Rudolph Matthew Franich when he appeared tor sentence on eight charges of breaking, entering and theft, including a sum of £3O, before Mr. Justice Smith at the Supreme Court this morning. “He is only 18 years of age and is of most respectable parents, his father being a well-known and highly respected business man of Dargaville,” said Mr. Johnstone, who appeared for Franich. His parents, however, had refused him money for legitimate requirements and be had only 10s a week, which he received from a solicitor by whom ho was employed. He seemed to have taken watches which he did not want, a tennis racket which his parents would have readily bought him, shoes which he hid, while the stolen monev had been handed back.

"I have been unable to get anvthing really sensible from him,” said Mr. Johnstone. “He is subnormal in some way. He suffered head injuries while, a child and concussion on two occasions last year. He may no doubt be affected in some way by these injuries. Then again, the crimes mav have been suggested to him by the class of pictures shown in country towns, or the reading of too many Edgar Wallace novels, some of which were found in his possession.”

Mr. Justice Smith: But he seems to have a mania for racing and the money may have been used for that. Mr. Johnstone suggested that Franich be granted probation and placed on his father’s farm and under the strict care of the manager. The boy was apparently of a weak character and he would be much better away from the influence of gaol or the Borstal Institute. Mr. Hubble, assistant Crown Prosecutor, said that it would be difficult to arrange any method of superintendence without being under the direct control of the probation officer. Franich was admitted to probation for four years under the usual conditions and that he must not leave his father’s farm at any time during his probation without the permission of the probation officer.