A YOUTH IN TROUBLE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 257, 9 April 1915, Page 7

A YOUTH IN TROUBLE.

PLEADS GUILTY TO THEFT.

RUINED BY CIGARETTES.

At the Magistrate's Court yesterday before Messrs. J. E. Wilson and J. S. S. Medley, J.'s P., Jack Start", aged seventeen years, pleaded guilty to stealing two carriage lamps and an overcoat.

Sub-Inspector Fouhy, who prosecuted, stated that accused when arrested by Constable Boulton admitted taking the lamps from Mr. 11. Jury's buggy, which was left in Mr. Roberts' yard' in Gill Street, also to the theft of the coat from the mail train when on the wharf. The owner of the coat had not been traved. He further stated that nothing was known against the boy.

Mrs. Dowling said that "the hoy had attended the West End School, and, though occasionally led away by others, was a good lad, except for being addicted to cigarette.smoking, to which she attributed his lapse. Mr. F. J. Morris also gave the boy a good character, adding that cigarette smoking was the ruin of half the youths wdio .went wrong.

Mr. Quilliam stated that if the hov were allowed to go at large, Mr. J. B, Honcyfield would look after him.

Eventually, the boy was convicted and discharged, being cautioned by the Justices and admonished to lead a decent life, as he was liable to be brought ticfore the Court and sent to prison. An order was made for restitution of the property, and for the 8s in accused's possession to be returned to Mr. 'Christiansen, also the 3s received lor the lamps.