YOUNG CRIMINALS

Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1926, Page 14

YOUNG CRIMINALS

ACTIVE IN PALMERSTON NORTH. SOME SURPRISING REVELATIONS. Palmerston N., Nov. 29. Accounts of young hooligans who wove about the large cities of the world in clans and indulging in lawlessness are received with ready credence, but the revelation that such a condition of things exists in Palmerston North will come as disturbing news. The activities of a Id-year-old detective who is working in the night to win them to a better work adds a picturesque touch. “There is existent in this town a gang of lade of between 13 and 15 years, which is led by a boy who ie going the right way to prison,” said Air. F. M. Keesing, secretary of the Palmerston North Y.AI.C.A., and Child Welfare Officer, in the course of an address to the members of the Rotary Club to-day. “This lad has been concerned in two very serious cases of theft, and while other boye of the gang have gone down to Weraroa, he, the ringleader, remains at large. “The existence of this gang and an account of their activities was given me by a boy of 16 years, who is another Sherlock Holmes,” continued the speaker. “He styles himself an amateur detective, but I think he is more of a professional. He goes round the town every night, and whenever the gang get up to mischief he knows all about It even before the police. You have heard of bottle-throwing and such things; they come about through this gang. I do not, know whether you have ever seen a gang of hoys about town with their hats pulled down over their faces. If you have you will know it is the gang of which I speak. ' “The young detective has already pulled three boys out of the band and put them on the right track. That is his feeling; he does not want them to get into the hands of the police. The gang is composed of boys from homes, to hear of which would surprise you were I to name them. I am hoping to get them all in some constructive work. “Then there is another gang of boys from 16 to 17 years,” continued the speaker. “I do not know whether you have noticed any of them drunk in The Square on Saturday nights.” These revelations were made by Mr. Keesing, in the course of an address on boys’ work, in which he used local instances to show the different classes of boys encountered, and the difficulties which confronted workers who were seeking to give boys the chance in life they never had. Boys were not easily finding their way through to manhooj to-day, said Mr. Keesing, and it took a great deal of care and attention to assist them to become clean-livin ff , clean-bodied men in time to come. ° “I am looking forward to the day when people will realise that the life of the boys is the most important thing the community can care for,” said the speaker. "In ancient Greece tne most worthy men were empowered to govern and destine the young life of the community. They helped the boys -to grow up in the right ideals. 1 can see that in.a few years such men will be employed on the staff of town government—men who are youth work directors on a floating commission, wiw will establish a bureau which will help all the boys of the country when they are in trouble. That is a vision, but J hope that some day a town )n New Zealand will start the movement, which | is to be found already in some parts | of the world. 1 feel that, then will boys | in towns such as Palmerato) North be helped in (he future." ‘