SERIOUS CHARGES AGAINST A YOUTH.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 133, 2 December 1904, Page 6

SERIOUS CHARGES AGAINST A YOUTH.

CONVICTIONS RECORDED. "A remarkable case in criminology," Was the phrase used by Mr. Wilford at the Magistrate's Court to-day, when re- . ferring to a young xndn named Oscar Garrick, who appeared before Dr. A. M'Arthur, S.M., for sentence on a charge of indecency in the neighbourhood of Kelburne on or about the 22nd November. Bofore this case was finally disposed of accused was charged on two further informations of common assault on young girls. In one case it was shown that he niade a grab at the skirts of a "child in the Botanical Gardens, and that she ran away before any other interference was effected. Counsel submitted that the case should be dismissed, but Acting-Chief Detective Boddani quoted from the Criminal Code to show that even an attempt it an assault was enough to justify his Worship holding that an assault had been committed. The Magistrate concurred in this opinion, and said he would look furiher into the matter, and give judgment on Monday. ' In a second case it was shown that lecused had caught hold of a child in )he neighbourhood of the Terrace School. She scratched his face, and he then ran away. His Worship recorded a conviction on this information, and remanded accused for sentence until Monday. In referring to the most serious case-— the charge of indecency — in which accused appeared for sentonce, Mr. Wilford said two things had to be "looked at: — (1) Was the action of this young man due to hereditary or some unaccountable, reason ? or (2) was he what certain books >n this subject caHcd a pervert? Counjel was prepared to call the accused, who yas only 18 years of age, to show that )e was absolutely unable to control himjelf. He was said by his employers to be an industrious* straightforward young ■ man. His life at home had been good and dean, and he was sorry for what he -bad done. His parents were astounded when he recently pleaded guilty to the -offence. Accused would go into tho box wad swear that it was only within the last few weeks that he had been in such l condition. The police suggested that accused be formalTy committed to gaol, with the recommendation to tho Minister of Justice to have him transferred to an Industrial School until he was 21 years of age, or any shorter time if it was found that he was getting all right. Hia Worship said he had no desire to question accused, and would remand him for sentence until Monday in order to give him an opportunity of fully considering the case.

Mr. James Trevor is the successful tenderer for the work of erecting Messrs. Young and Tripe's four-storeyed brick fcuilding. The premises, which are to be built in accordance with the plans and »pecificatione of Mr. J. C Maddison (late Hislop and Walden) at a cost of about £5000, will have frontages to Grey-street of 45ft and to Featherston-street of 35ft, and will be ready for occupation in about mine months' time*