YOUTHFUL THIEVES.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 August 1919, Page 6

YOUTHFUL THIEVES.

LEADING DOUBLE LIVES. Seven boys,, whose ages ranged from 12 to 14 years', were before the Dunedin Juvenile Offenders' Court last week on charges of stealing fowls and dncks from Herman Sonntag. The sub-inspector's story was to the effect that these boys had been in the hafit of going out in the cart with Mr. Sonntag, delivering poultry, flowers, fruit, etc., and getting cash for them. They also picked apples for him, and were given Is a day each and their dinners. On different occasions during the absence of the complainant they had stolen »tho fowls and ducks, ami in tlic case of two of the elder boys, had shown considerable cunning in disposing of them. These ringleaders had rung up a poultry dealer, saying that a lady, who was vacating her house, wished to sell her poultry. He agreed to take them at Is 9d each, and the poultry were delivered and paid for, the money being divided among the boys. Mr. Axelsen said that all the lads came from respectable homes. The parents of some of the boys charged complained that the fault lay with Mr. Sonntag, who, they said, enticed some 20 or 30 boys out to his place and gave them work to do, paying them Is for the day. His Worship said the ease disclosed quite a bad state of affairs. These lads had evidently devised a regular scheme, a sort of poultry club, and had had a good time on the proceeds of their theft. They had been leading double lives, for it was evident their parents knew nothing of what was going on. He must take steps to impress the seriousness of the matter upon them, and upon others who might be tempted to act similarly. The two elder lads, who were named as the ringleaders, were ordered to receive each six strokes of ihe birch on one c.liarge, and were convicted and ordered (o come up for sentence when called upon on the other. The remaining boys, with the exception of the smallest, who was admonished and discharged, were convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. In the meantime they are to be placed under the supervision of the juvenile probation officer. Tlioy were also ordered to lie chastised by their parents, the latter to pay the value of the stolen property (£4 15s) in five equal parts. In 'giving his decision the magistrate commented upon the low price paid to the boys for the poultry by the dealer.