The frequency of minor crimes! found to be committed by children under the age of 16 years, has awakened criticism of the class of moving picture screened in the theatres throughout the Comm: wealth. It was found that in one tance, a Ind made a habit of sleeping with a six-shooter under his pillow and a German magazine revolver to hand. After the parents had retired for the night youthful miscreants sallied forth to perform their misdeeds. The romantic cement was further Added to in one gang, by an ¥enturous "lass who" fared them on their fortunes. This gid was of the mature age of 11 land she accompanied the boys when they' clambered through skylights into. shops and factories in the ighbourhood of their homes. in South Melbourne. Much damage was done to office fittings and stock by horseplay as well as the theft of petty" amounts of cash and such "commodities "as cakes. and confectionery, The daughter fof the regiment was the recipient of the spoils in the form of enter-tumment at the picture shows, and unlimited supply of the sweet things s0 fascinating to the palates of children.
The police are' appealing [parents "to refrain from allowing their children out at judgment as to the class of pi ures the children are allowed' to There has been a revival of interest in the conspiracy occasioned by the trial of detective Leo O'Sullivan, whom I mentioned in a previous letter had been ad-8 mental home. The medical men in attendance on him signifying his recovery being sufficient for his attendance at the trial, O'Sullivan was brought before' the court. The jury convicted him on the charge of conspiracy to illegally "demand money from O'Callagan, the hotel proprietor on whose premises, managed by his daughter on his behalf, allegedly stolen goods were found. "O'Sullivan received n longer sentence than hi associates, Oldham and MePherson, and is to spend three years in gaol. 'The other man in the case, Detective Fowler, it would seem hus made good "his escap. 'The police have up-to-date found trace of him though it was rumoured he had been seen' in Sydney Harbour on a boat leav for, America. Collins, the per pettator of the robbery under arms at Toorak, when he shot Mr. 'Thomas, the tobacconist of the has received a sentence six years and a flogging. Fortunately for him, Mr. Thomas made a remarkable recovery. 'The spoils of nine other roperies were discovered in Collins' dwelling, all of which had taken place in' the same suburb,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.