Corpun file 23350

The Star, Christchurch, 17 July 1876, p.2

Christchurch.

This Day (Before G.L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.)

A Nice Trio.

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Edward Donnelly, Isaac Pearson, and J. H. Falloon, three boys from about ten to twelve years of age, were brought up, charged with having broken into Mr Sisson's coal office, near the railway station, and stealing money therefrom. The evidence went to show that the three prisoners were seen near Mr Sisson's shop on Friday night, and that next morning it was found the door had been broken open, and ten penny pieces -- the only money in the office -- taken away. When arrested by Detective Kirby, the prisoners admitted the charge, and said they had spent the money.

Pearson's father and Falloon's mother, who were in Court, said their boys were generally well conducted, but had been led astray by elder boys. Donnelly, the youngest of the trio, was ordered to be imprisoned twenty four hours, and to be whipped; the other two were ordered to be imprisoned for seven days, and also to be whipped.

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A second charge was then preferred against Donnelly and Falloon, of having stolen three boxes, containing between £4 and £5, from Mrs Cook's shop, Tuam street west. On the application of Inspector Feast, the charge against Donnelly was withdrawn, in order that he might be called as a witness against Falloon. From the evidence it appeared that, on Tuesday evening last Donnelly and Falloon were together in Tuam street, that Falloon watched Mrs Cook go into her back room, then went into the shop and took the boxes containing the money, and ran away. Subsequently, Falloon and Donnelly went "on a spree" to Timaru, and did not return till the money was expended. When Falloon was arrested, he admitted the offence.

His Worship ordered Falloon to be whipped, and imprisoned for fourteen days, this sentence to date from the expiration of the preceding one.

Corpun file 23351

The Star, Christchurch, 18 July 1876, p.2

Flogging in the Gaol.

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The three boys who were yesterday sentenced at the Magistrate's Court to a flogging and a term of imprisonment for larceny from a shop, received the first-named portion of their punishment at the Gaol this morning, one of the warders officiating on the occasion.

A bran [sic] new triangle and two maiden cats having been provided, and the surgeon being in attendance, the boy Donnelly was first called upon. Not comprehending exactly the nature of the entertainment, he stepped boldly to the triangle, and was duly triced up. The first stroke elicited a yell of pain, and each succeeding sweep of the cat produced similar, but rather more emphatic exclamations. When the dozen was complete his back presented a most uninviting appearance, every tail of the cat having inscribed its mark, and he was quite undeceived as to there being any species of joke in the matter.

He was succeeded by Pearson, who had previously been watching the proceedings with lachrymose interest. The yells of this boy were, if possible, louder than those of Donnelly, although the instrument employed was lighter, the boy appearing rather more delicate.

Last came the ringleader, Falloon, to whom a double dose had been awarded. He stepped shuddering to the triangle, and even before the first lash fell did his utmost to alarm the neighbourhood, but writhings and shrieks were futile. A short pause, however, was allowed by the doctor, who was present during the whole of the punishment, to give the patient some water, but as it was found that he was still capable of enduring the remainder of his sentence, the full amount of strokes were duly delivered.

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Although the punishment was undoubtedly extremely severe, nevertheless due precautions were taken to prevent any injury to the health of the boys, and, when the number of larcenies by boys in and about the City, and the ineffectuality of the means hitherto adopted for their suppression are remembered, it cannot be denied that the severe course taken in this -- which was an unusually aggravated case -- was fully justified. To the boys of Christchurch, who may be similarly inclined, we would recommend that they should not take it for granted that the training ship or industrial school will in future be the reward of their dishonest industry.