ON THE WRONG PATH

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 77, 21 September 1911, Page 8

ON THE WRONG PATH

YOUTH NEGLECTS WARNING AND GOES TO GAOL. "I am afraid it cornea as aaturally to him to steal as to have his breakfast," said Senior-Sergeant Dart yesterday in the Magistrate's Court, when dealing with the case of a young fellow named Leslie .Jacklin Hardgrave, who has launched out into petty larceny. Not very long ago he was mixed up in the theft of a bicycle lamp, and was*convicted. This time his offence consisted of the theft of a metal watch, valued at ss, the property of James Larney. He pleaded guilty. The Sergeant said this was rather a hard ease to deal with. He mentioned the previous conviction for the theft of the lamp, and said that at that time Hardgrave was an absconder from licensed service, from the Weraroa Industrial Farm. The farm authorities at the time had not stated whether they would take him back, but now lie found the youth had been discharged from the institution, and though nearly twentyone years of age was too old to be recommitted. Coming to the present charge, Sergeant Dart said the accused had been working for a couple of months as third cook at the Criterion Hotel. He went into the second cook's room, rifled his pockets, and annexed the watch. Had there been money in the pockets it would probably have gone too. Sergeant Dart said that although he would have liked to ask the Bench to deal lightly with the young man, who did not seem to recognise that his mode of life was likely to lead him into trouble, he felt that he could not do so, as he had pleaded for leniency when Hardgrave was before the Court previously. It was not possible to commit the lad for reformative treatment, for the maximum punishment that could be inflicted for the present offence was three months, whilst before an offender could be sent for reformative treatment the term of imprisonment to which he was liable must be over three months.

In answer to the Bench, Sergeant Dart said the accused would be twenty-one years old next June.

Mr. Fitzherbert, S.M., severely admonished the accused, lie could see no option. he said, hut to sentence the accused to a term of imprisonment. "I told you last time you were here," he continued, "that I would let you go, but that you would come up for sen- '

tence when called upon. Now you have committed another offence. If you go on like this you will become an habitual criminal, and you'll have to spend the greater part of your life in gaol. I don't intend to give "you a long term of imprisonment, hut I intend to show yoti that you must not commit thefts, and that if you do you will be puxished. I hope it will prove a warning to you, and that in future you will lead a straightforward, honest life. It IB a ridiculous thing, from one point of view, that you should commit such barefaced robberies, for you arc sure to be found out. But, irrespective of that, it is a wrong to the community." The seriousness of the Magistrate's tones, and the fear of the impending sentence, were having their effect, and the accused waa becoming tearful. "You will be convicted and ordered to be imprisoned in New Plymouth prison for fourteen days, with hard labor." The tears liatl charge now.

Sergeant Dart Paid lie would have ft word with Mr. Coyle, the gaoler, who was a very eareful man. and the accused would not be allowed to mix with the wont prisoners. ■Mr. Fitzherbert said that this was very desirable. i