The unfortunate children being too small to appear in the dock, were, as a preparation for their interview with His Worship, first hustled and then shook up in front of the dock by Constable Little-. footsteps. The R.M. then asked the culprits what they had to say for themselves. The eldest boy, a youngster of about 11 sum mers, stated that he met the younger boys, aged, I should say, 8 and 9, carrying some rails, and at their request assisted to carry them. The two young ones not seeming to realise their position, could say nothing in defence. Dr. Hitchings evi dence was to the effect that his dividing fence was gradually disappearing, being carried off, as he was told, by children. The Doctor's boy was then examined, and he stated that he met the three young sters carrying a portion of the rails ; this was all the evidence taken. Inspector Scully, A.C., was requested by his Worship to state what he knew of the boys. The Inspector replied that one of them was concerned some two years ago in coal-stealing from a railway truck, but he believed they were some of the most notorious scoundrels in Napier. Without taking any further evidence as to whether Dr Hitchings had any claim to the ownership of the fence, or as to the character of the other two boys, or as to whether they really took the rails from the fence as alleged, our Napier Chief Justice sentenced the unfortunate chil dren to one month's imprisonment in the common gaol, and ordered them to be privately whipped once. Sir, I consider that the manner in which these prisoners were treated is a disgrace to the com munity. The remarks of Inspector Scully as to the three boys being some of the most notorious scoundrels in the town should not have been taken as evi dence, unless he could support his ro marka with facts. I think it is high time that the same rule should be adopted in I Napier as in most places in England

218

THE HAWKE'S BAT HEBALD, THURSDAY, APJRIL 3, 1879



}. .WAK?ffP r. - ANTED:, KNOWN-S-To-day (Thurg. day); and To-morrow (Friday) we hold our first Grsnd " Show "! ; o£ Continental and British Millinery, &c., &c. E. Price i and Co. 217 WANTED, a. respectable middle-aged Housekeeper. .References required. 