DRUNKEN RIOT

Hokitika Guardian, 8 December 1930, Page 5

DRUNKEN RIOT

iR.ELIEF WORKERS AT NELSON. NELSON, Dec. 6. In sentencing a number of men from an unemployment relief camp to various terms of imprisonment tor taking part in a drunken riot, and. damaging a tent. Air Justice Reed referred to the police report concerning the conduct at unemployment camps. It would be very useful, he .said, if a copy of this statement were to be sent to the Unemployment Board. They may be able to regulate the payments to these men. so that the unfortunate ratepayers should not have their money wasted, in the way it was apparently being wasted in the purchase of liquor.- ‘‘lf something could be clone in the way of payment of some of the money to the dependents of such men,” said the Judge, “I think it would be a good thing. This business of paying men excessive wages to bp squandered in drink and gambling, 1 think, is disgraceful. Now w'e have this Board set up, they will have the power to deal with it. and I tiling it would he a good thing if a report were sent to them.”

'The Crown Prosecutor Raid that he would do so. The Police Inspector had told him that there had been a large increase of offences in the town, ven largely due to men coming : n and blowing in their cheques. Ihe Inspector of Police had, however, on.y reported on “conduct” tramps.

His Honour“l think this report should be brought before the notice of tlie Board in the hope that they will do something to prevent money being squandered in this way. ’ To passing sentence. His Honour sai l that it was difficult to know how to deal with these men. Although he thought it necessary to make an example, in order to -discourage such mlions, one could have treated it ns. a drunken riot,- and dealt, with it quite leniently; hut he must take into consideration the iact that this business of taking liquor into camps and getting drunk had to he popped somehow. He did not look upon the case as a bad one.