H.—2oa

1910. NEW ZEALAND

JUVENILE OFFENDERS (REPORTS BY STIPENDIARY MAGISTRATES ON).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency Auckland. The Magistrate's Office, Auckland, 17th March, 1910. Juvenile Offenders. In reply to your memo, of the 25th ultimo, I have now the honour to forward a return, prepared by the Clerk of the Court, showing the number of juvenile offenders brought before the Police Court in the City of Auckland during the year ending 31st December, 1909. The return shows (1) date of hearing, (2) names of offenders and in some cases their ages, (3) nature of offence, and (4) manner in which offender was dealt with. In dealing with these offenders the procedure laid down in Part 111 of the Justices of the Peace Act, 1908, is strictly followed. In many cases the head teacher of the school where the offender is being educated attends and reports on his conduct, &c, and on some occasions friends or relatives of the children are also present and give evidence. The parents (if any) are notified, and generally attend the Court. All cases are heard privately either in the small room (the Justices' Room) off the main Courtroom or in my own room. C. C. Kettle, S.M. The Under-Secretary for Justice, Wellington.

Wellington. Magistrate's Court, Wellington, 3rd March, 1910. Youit memorandum of the 25th February to hand on the 28th February last, asking for a report upon the working of the Juvenile Court for the year ending 31st December last. I enclose herewith a return showing the information asked for. The Juvenile Court is held at 9.30 a.m. in my private room whenever there is business to be dealt, with. lam satisfied that the Court is an unqualified success. lam able to appeal to the children's feelings better in private than in the open Court. The children's parents are nearly always present, and good reason is given if they are not there. No representative of any society or organization attends the Juvenile Court: One hundred and twenty-six children were brought before the Court last year charged with 134 offences, Are. The return shows the number of convictions and the punishment awarded for each class of offence. W. G. Riddbll, Stipendiary Magistrate. The Under-Secretary, Department of Justice. Wellington.

Offence, &c. Summoned Admoot appre- nished and hended. discharged. Ordered to come up for Sentence if called upon. ....... Sent t» Fined. Whipping. Industrial Dismissed. Withdrawn! School. I On ler. M. J F. M. | F. Breach of by-law (driving 1 .. .. : .. vehicle round corner) Cruelty to animals . . 5 I ...!.'.■., Damaging property .. 15 4 I 11 2 Having possession of firearms j 6 ■ .. j 5 Housebreaking . . .. J 7 : . . 1 ; .. Frequenting streets . . . . 2 1;.';.. Idle and disorderly (no means) .. I .. ' .. Placing matches in post- 3' . . ; . . ! office box Playing cricket in street . . 12 j . . 3 : .. Receiving stolen property . . .. 1 ; .. 1 Stone-throwing .. .. 11 [ .. j 10 : .. Stowaway .. .. 1 ...;.'.' j'.. Theft .'. .. .. 42 | 13 j 31 j 10 Totals . . . . ;103 j 21 j 61 I. 13 I. I - I 7 | " ~T"" T ' ' ■■ M. I F. 51. ; J. M. F. | M. F. M. F. M. j F. M. ..[... 3 I'V.. ' ■ . .'| '2 ■■:. 1 :. I .. .. .. ! .. i ! .. : .. .. 3 .. i .. .. j ., ' 2 .. • : :: :: ! ::!'« :: ::- :: I:: ::T:\| :■ '• :■: :: ::■ ■':;■:: :: ;: ,' 2 :: ::l:: i :. ;; ! ;; - ;■ j [ •• '.-* I •■ I--' ■■'■ ■'■ • •■ i ; .. ..;''.'. .. i 1 I 1 . . .. j 6 .. 3 2 1 nri ■ -l.-l. 6 | .. J 12 I .. 6.1 4 j 6 .. 3|3 J I. I I I I I I ! I F.