A BIRCHING.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 September 1916, Page 8

A BIRCHING.

JUVENILE LARCENISTS. , PICTURES AND JOY-RIDE 3. At tP Juvenile Court on Saturday morning, before Mr. A. Crooke, S.M., three lads, aged 13 years, 14 years, and M% years, were charged with the theft ff £lB Cs from the dwelling of Henry Eva, Vivian Street. Mr. A. H. Johnstone appeared for the accused, who all pleaded guilty, The police, counsel stated, had a, full confession. Sub-inspeetor Fouhy said the lads were gathering bottles in Vivian Street r.n August 23, and went to the house of the complainant.. There was no one at home, and they accordingly searched the house. The key of the room where the money was kept in a hox was hidden in another room, and this key they found. They took the box outside and t'pened it. On going to Jury's stables two of (tlioni hired a gig for £1 and drove to YV'aitara, where they cashed a £5 note and a £lO note. They then divided the money. Since then £l2 Ws had been recovered by Constable I-'izt-gibbon, leaving a deficiency of £.5 12s. Mr. Johnstone said he could assure his Worship that the deficiency would be lepaid. Sub-Inspector Fouhy, in answer to a put from the Bench, said that the eldest boy was very intelligent, but was a terrible young liar. The Magistrate; said'that the fact of hiring a gig and driving to AVaitara to cash the notes indicated Vdesigned plan. Mr. Johnstone remarked that the trip to Waitara was probably a "joy-ride" on the part of the youths when finding themselves in possession of so much money. The mother of one of the lads blamed moving pictures for the trouble. "They have had too many 6t them," she said. "My son is employed at a picture theatre and so is his cousin." (The latter was another of the culprits.) Mr. Johnstone said'the youngest boy was one of those unfortunates who did not know what a mo'llier was, and he had never had a fair chance. He could not say anything about the moral effect cf moving pictures, but it appeared that at times they suggested to young folk an emulation of what they saw portrayed on the screen. His Worship said the hoys were too young to be sent to prison, and 'he would ]iot send them to an industrial school, as this was their first o!Tenee. However, they must be punished; the youngest hoy must receive three strokes of the birch, and the two others five strokes each. The lads were duly punished at the conclusion of the Court, the whipping being administered by a constable in the presence of the sergeant.