CONDUCT IN A BACH

Hokitika Guardian, 20 September 1929, Page 6

CONDUCT IN A BACH

YOUNG MAN SENT TO GAOL. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 19. Conduct of a bach in Bowhill Road, North Beach, was called into question in the Magistrate’s Court, when Clias. Edward Blackloc-k (Mr Bowie) pleaded not guilty to a charge of breach of the terms of his probation. Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M., was on the bench.

The Probation Officer (Mr AV. 11. Darby) said that accused was released on three years’ probation by the Supreme Court on May 11th, 1928/ for theft. Accused was . one of three whostole a motor cycle. He had made a certain amount of restitution. He had failed to notify his change of address from August 26tli to September 14th. From information received from the police officer of the district the probation officer )f led to take immediate action, as Tlie conduct of accus-. cd was disgraceful. v .. Constable stated that accused Jiad been .at. North Brighton for the lash three "weeks, having rented a bach in Bowhill, Road., Witness had beeti 'led to? ihspect the place because accused had entered the dwelling while, the key had been at a neighbour’s place. Witness had then formd accused, .who was entitled to be in the bach ,in bed with a young woman. Since then accused had gone to the bach at night and in daylight, and other young men had brought girls there. Their behaviour was a nuisance to the people of the district, who had complained. Witness was satisfied that the place had been used for an immoral purpose.

A neighbour gave evidence of having been disturbed by the noise from inside the bach. Mr Bowie contended that, as accused /had been at the bach for only two Saturday nights and one other night; it was not correct to say that he resided there, for he still lived at 26, Ferry Road. Accused stated . that lie had only a tliir-’ into:eo in the bach, as two oilicrs besides himself rented it. He had gone there once in the daytime, once on a F ,,: 'l\v night, and on two Satinyhi'’ logins. The amount of restitulk.ii in connection with the theft case was paid except £2 Is. He undertook not. to go to Brighton again. The probation officer: The circumstances wlere so disgraceful that a competent officer of the police force undertook to keep an eye on the place for the three weeks. The constable said that you were there many times. Is he wrong? “Yes,’’ replied witness, who added that there was no' unseemly t behaviour while he was there. The Magistrate: I am quite satisfied that this young man was living at the bach, one doesn’t like to think what ns. Just as a foretaste of what a continuance of this business will bring, I will give liinr seven days to think it over.