[August 16, 1923 – Auckland Star] The story of a 15-year-old girl who held up little children on the street and robbed them of money was told to Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M., in the Juvenile Police Court this morning.
Rather remarkable is the record of the girl’s exploits. It was stated that for some months she had been systematically taking money from children for whom she waited at street corners. These children were sometimes in possession of a few shillings given them by their parents for the purchase of groceries and household commodities, for which children are frequently sent on shopping errands. Her mother believed the girl to be in a billet, and the belief was strengthened by the fact that the daughter brought home 15/ regularly at the end of each week. In point of fact she had left her place of employment four weeks after starting in it, and the inference is that the money handed over to the mother each week was obtained from children on the street. There were innumerable complaints to the police by parents whose children had been victimised by the girl who roved the Mt. Albert district so long and successfully, evading for many months all efforts to detect her. Many traps were set but the girl was not caught till recently when she took 7/8 1⁄2 and 17/6 from children sent on a shopping expedition. The girl was committed to the Christchurch Receiving Home.
ACTS OF LARRIKINISM.
COMPLAINTS IN THE SUBURBS.
MORE POLICE CONTROL REQUESTED.
[July 19, 1923 – Auckland Star] The molestation of women which has been brought under the public eye of late was commented upon with some concern by Mr. H. Miles at the meeting of the Mt. Albert Borough Council. He referred also to the acts of larrikinism in the borough, including a gross act of sacrilege committed by some youths who had broken into a church. There had been complaints, too, of stone throwing on residents’ roofs. It was resolved to write to the superintendent of police requesting more adequate police supervision.
A complaint that name plates in Cornwall Park Ave., Dunkerron Ave, and Wapiti Road had been torn down was also made to the One Tree Hill Road Board by the engineer last evening. It was decided to write to the police authorities requesting stricter surveillance.