RING AND RUN

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 56, 30 November 1926, Page 8

RING AND RUN

OLD MAN’S ANNOYING AMUSEMENT

GIVEN CHOICE BETWEEN WORK AND GAOL

Dominion Special.

Auckland, November 29.

Having done no work for about three years, except during periods in gaol, William Richard Clarke, an elderly man, amused himself early yesterday morning by ringing the door bell at the Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor, Herne Bay, and then running away. As this sort of annoyance had been suffered by the inmates for a couple of months, steps were taken to stop this little game of ring and run. Clarke was charged this morning with being a rogue and a vagabond and with disturbing the aged inhabitants of the home.

The Magistrate said he was loath to send the old fellow to gaol, and thought the Salvation Army might do something for him. “He has been twice in our institution and he won’t work,” said StaffCaptain Davies. “We have to get the inmates to work in order to keep the institution going. He has been in better circumstances in his day, and occasionally he gets a little money from Home.” The Magistrate told Clarke he could have the choice of going to the Army Home and doing his share of work there or going to gaol. “I prefer work,” said the old man simply. Thereupon the Salvationist was tola to take Clarke awa.v and to bring him up again if he didn’t work.