PREVENTION BETTER THAN CURE.

Inangahua Times, Volume VII, Issue 1064, 22 March 1882, Page 2

PREVENTION BETTER THAN CURE.

♦ TO THE EDITOB INANGAHUA TIMES. Sir, — Permit me, through the columns of your paper,- to call attention of all concerned to the late hours children and youths are allowed to roam about the streets of Reefton. I have, on more than one occasion, seen youths congreagated about the streets at 12 o'clock at night, and their conversation and actions was that of the profligate adult type, rather than that of properly trained youths. But the young are not wholly to blame, they know no better, and evidently they are taught no better, for it is impossible that they can be absent from their homes, at such late hours, without the knowledge and consent of their parents. Any parents or guardians entrusted with the care of children must be very callous indeed, and utterly neglectful of their duty and responsibility towards them in particular, and the well-beirg of society in general, who can be gnilty of such culpable neglect, a neglect beyond doubt which is tho primary cause of larrikinism becoming so rife in other parts of the colonies, and which is making rapid strides in this small community. Hoping that all will use their •influence, particularly those who are directly responsible, to check; and if possible, put a stop to the further development of larrikinism amongst us. lam, &c, Observer.