JUVENILE CRIME.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2645, 25 June 1889, Page 2

JUVENILE CRIME.

(liY TICI.KCKAIMI. —L'lU-.SS ASSOCIATION.) Weli.ixuto.v, .Monday. Anotiiior meeting of tbn committee :iplioiuted at a meeting of Justices of the Peace, recently held to consider the question of juvenile crime, took place yesterday afternoon. Sergeant-Major Morico stated that there were 500 children roaming about the streets of Wellington between 7 and 10 o'clock in the evening. The committee have suggested that the following amendments be made in the Foliee Offences Act: — 1. Any person under the age of 1-1 years being in any public ulaoe or in any place accessible to the public, not being under proper control, after the hour of (blank) in the evening during the months of (blank) and after the hour of (blank) during the nvniths of (blank) shall be summoned before the magistrate, together with the parent or other responsible person, to show why proper control has not been recognised or exercised.

2. Any boy under the age of 11 years upon being convicted of being in any publie place accessible to the public not being under proper control after the hour (blank) in tho evening during tho months (blank) shall bo liable to receive (blank) strokes with a birch rod upon conviction, and where it is shewn that proper control has not boon exercised cither the parent or responsible person shall bo liable to a penalty not exceeding (blank). Tho committee carried tho following resolutions: — 1. That the imprisonment of children be altogether discontinued, and that they be either birched and dismissed, or sent to the industrial school.

2. On the committal of children to tho industrial or other schools, the strictest attention bo given to charging parents with the full cost of their support. This charge to be as great, if not greater, thau if they were maintaining the children then.solves at homo.

3. A distinction to bo made between children who are criminal, and those who have been merely unfortunate or neglected, and that they be separated and confined to distinct establishments. -1 Farms to bo set apart, one for each set of children, whore they may be taught fruit and vegetable-growing, tho management of lior?os,'cattle, dtc, with a distinct view to their becoming useful settlers upon land upon reaching manhood. "i. That the Court, to exercise jurisdiction in these matters, should consist of a committee of seven Justices, to be annually appointed in the manner provided, of whom three should form a quorum. A mooting of Justices will bo called to consider theso suggestions.