Punishment of Larrikins.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 281, 2 April 1889, Page 3

Punishment of Larrikins.

|to the editor.] Sib,—-A correspondent in your last issue I makes some strong charges to show that the ' other evening a Salvationist badly abused a youngster of “ well connected " antecedents 1 —in other words the boy was not of the oom- ' mon herd, and I suppose what would be □etifiable in the case of others was not so in iis case. I neither belong, nor have I much sympathy with the Salvation Army, and I pretend to know nothing with regard to the “ well connected hoy,” or of his conduct, or the abuse he is said to have received, Ha may have got much more than he deserved, or he may have got a great deal lass, but it is time an example were made of some of the young ruffians—and I should say take the “ well connected” ones first—for they are not only a source of much annoyant* to respectable people passing the Salvation meeting place, but many, I am afraid, are paving the way for careers which will tn ike them a nuisance to society. One has only to refer to back copies of the Standard to be confirmed in this. It is not so long ago since I remember reading of a big stone having been thrown in the doorway, denting the inner pannelling, and nearly being the cayse of serious' injury. We are not informed whether the scoundrel who did it was a “ well connected " one, but if his parents had any respectability left they ought to have been ashamed of having such a young blackguard as their offspring : for he is not a credit to his " connections,” be they poor or rich, if they have any feelings left. When the Salvationists are within their own property they have a right to protection, and, though they tn W not be strictly in accord wi'h their principles, the members of the aimy would do a public service by severely castigating 18 ne of the unpromising buds that are a plague to the community, and I say let them first trv the experiment on the “ well connected” ones. I have heard of several in. stances of ladies being insulted by these weed sprigs, and severe punishment might instil tbe latter with some regard for decency, and the Beriousnecs of the offence of molesting and insulting those who cannot very well retaliate. If the police cannot take steps in the matter, we ought to be thankful to those who will.—l am, die., Civilisation. [Another letter has been received in reference to the above, signed by “ Local,” but ' the writer omits to fulfil the usual con. ’ dition that, as a guarantee of good faith, the ’ real name must accompany letters. If this is ' complied with the letter will appear in due 1 course.—Ed.]