MAGISTRATE ALTERS DECISION

Hokitika Guardian, 22 September 1930, Page 8

MAGISTRATE ALTERS DECISION

H ACCUSED MEN MAY BE SENT | TO WORK. 1 l l 1 s TIMARU, September 18. [ William James Smith, aged twenty- j five, and.. James Douglas Silby, aged I thirty, seamen, of Auckland, who ( have been in Tirnaru for the last J three weeks, endeavoured to obtain g money from various persons by tales j of their ‘being due shortly to receive J from rich relatives in England, anti | from various other sources, sums vary- J ing from £2OOO to £1.00(1. The police I found them in a state of drunkenness in a billiard saloon yesterday, and they were arrested. To-day they appeared at the Magistrate’s Court, charged with drunkenness, and, farin' with being iule and disorderIv persons, in that they had no lawful means of support. After sentencing each to two months’ imprisonment, Mr C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., changed his mind and ordered accused to be detained in custody for a week, to see if work might be obtained for them. Senior-Sergeant Mathieson stated that Smith had '’a- 1 f"” - convictions . for theft, and it was Silby’s third appearance before the Court. Accused stated that they 'Wore expecting work with a contractor in ten days'. ; Senior-Sergeant Mathieson: I have it that they are trying to get back to Auckland by boat. , The ' Magistrate : It is hard enough to get work, more so in their position. To the accused: 1 have no alternative but to send you to prison. If I let you ofF, you will only be arrested next day. You will be sentenced to two months’ imprisonment. A few moments, later the Magistrate changed his mind, remarking to accused: You will be remanded in custody for a week to set*- if something can’t l>e done for you in the meantime in the way of securing work.