IN BAD CONDITION

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 138, 9 December 1930, Page 7

IN BAD CONDITION

A HUMAN DERELICT METHYLATED SPIRITS ADDICT (By Telegraph.—Presr Association.) AUCKLAND, Sth December. Four men described by DetectiveSergeant Kelly as "methylated spirit kings" came before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., at the Police Court to-day. Thres had been arrested on drunkenness charges and the fourth on a charge deeming him to be an incorrigible rogue and vagabond. ■ Bavages of the methylated spirits which they had been imbibing during the week-end were reflected in their, faces. One man was trembling to such an extent that a policeman had almost to carry him from the dock back to tha prisoners' room. Two wero remanded for a week for medical treatment^ "These men go about the city in' gangs, frequenting parks and drinking methylated spirits," said Mr. Kelly. "Your worship has only to look at them to Bee the harm the spirit does whea taken internally." Mr. Hunt: "I know. There is a mari in the morgue this morning who has' been drinking methylated spirits. Ho was found dead yesterday." Concerning the man charged with being an incorrigible rogue and vagabond (James Edgar Stecre, aged 59), Mr* Kelly said he was a derelict and a, methylated spirits addict. "They won't have him in the cits shelters, and he has been sleeping out in Campbell Park. Nothing can bo dona with him," added Mr. Kelly. Steere, who had 52 previous conyic* tions and was said to be in a filthy con* dition, was sentenced to 12 months' im« prisonment. "He's better up above, where he will be fed and kept clean," remarked tho Magistrate.