THE harum-scarum lads whose heads are filled with romantic and invariably, pernicious ideas through an unlimited indulgence in cheap literature are becoming something worse than a nuisance, and it is high time an example was made of some of these modern Jack Sheppards. A reference to the police crime-book would no doubt surprise reputable citizens of most towns in Australia. In the past few months several shops in Melbourne have been "burgled" by mere children, the sons of respectable residents. There have been two gangs of embryo highwaymen, or rather highwaymen, and numerous other senseless, but less criminal ventures have not seen the light of publicity. The motive in nearly every instance has been the same. These embryo Dick Turpins, or budding Bill Sykes, have been actuated by a misdirected ambition to do something 'fine.'

      Another crime which it is believed was planned and carried out entirely by juveniles, is now engaging the attention of the detectives. On Queen's Birthday the office of Mr. J. Hill and A. White, Customs Agents, 44 Market-street, Melbourne was raided. The clue upon which the police are working indicates tee youthfulness of the operators. They got into the place by scaling the roof, and letting themselves through one of the upper windows. To get into the office they had to break open one of the doors, after which they thoroughly ran sacked the place. Nothing was stolen, however, for the simple reason that there was no valuables in the building.

      It is certainly alarming to discover that boys are thus ready and eager to risk their necks and to chance sacrificing their liberty from a love of the sensational.