UNDESIRABLE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4775, 12 November 1924, Page 2

UNDESIRABLE.

SENT FOR OBSERVATION. VISITOR TO PAEROA. On Saturday evening a stranger walked briskly into a Paeroa boardinghouse. “Can I have board,” he inquired of the proprietor, “I am going to work here,” the man hastened to inform the landlord. The appearance of the newcomer was not much in his favour, yet he seemed respectable enough, and as it was near tea time he was given a room. On Sunday the boardinghouse-keeper had a good look at his latest arrival and decided he would keep an eye on him. He questioned the man, but was not thoroughly satisfied with the answers. “Our terms are cash in advance,” the landlord informed the stranger. "What about some money ?" The man replied that it would be all right. He was going to work for a stabling firm in Paeroa. 1 “What name,” was the quick retort. “1 forget the name at present,” was the reply. The man was given the benefit of the dcubt. On Sunday he was seen looking about the town. He stopped one or two men and obtained matches, but no one knew where he had obtained employment. The man himself was evidently on his guard. About 9 o’clcck on Sunday night he hastened along to the boardinghouse. As he neared the door he saw another man come round the corner of the building. Fine night,” was the greeting. “Yes ” hesitatingly came the reply. “Are you the constable here ? Are you the policeman in charge of this town," quickly followed. “No, I am not,” was the reassuring answer. “Do you want to see him ? If so, I will take you to his place. He just lives round there.” “I expect, he will be at home tomorrow at dinner time; I can get him then.” was the reply. And the man hurried in and up the stairs to his room He did not wait to speak to the proprietor, who, hearing one speaking, had appeared on the ■; scene. On Monday the man was seen hanging about the town, but- no sign ol work and no money to pay for board, or anything else. He tried to dodge the landlord, and slipped away after meals. Constable McClinchy heard ot the doings of the stranger, and about tea time hunted him up. The man had been at Te Aroha and had been living on others in that place. Shortly after six o’clock Constable McClinchy met the man and made some inquiries, but was not satisfied with the answer. “ You had better come with me,” was the order given by the police; “go and get your things.” The man could not pay for board, as he had no money. The man made a somewhat mixed statement to the police. . He declared he was a great friend of the Prime Minister, Mr W. F. Maissey, and that he was Mr Massey’s private agent and was. travelling about watching the officers of the different Departments at their work. Further, " he declared he was a partner with Sir F. D. Bell, who had given him 520 acres of land on the Main Trunk for finding coal at Oharau. That was in 1919. • He stated his name was’ Percival Herbert Curtis, and was a married man with one child. His wife left him some years ago, and was now living with another man in this district. He wanted the police to find her. He gave her maiden name, but did not give the name of the man he said she was living with. The man said he was a farmer, but was now a labourer, and arrived in Paeroa by motor car on Saturday. He was walking fn>m Te Aroha when a young man - in a car gave him a lift. He had been in Te Aroha a w'eek, and not being well had been attended by Dr. Dempsey. He had walked from Hamilton to Te Aroha. He was head of the arrangements for the ArnstHannan sculling match, and had money in the Bank of Ne ,v Zealand at New Plymouth and Hamilton —from £lOO to £2OO. He had received money from the Government for patents he had invented—a life guard for motor cars and an electric railway stop. Constable McClinchy cor&dered that a man without money making such statements was not fit to be loafing about the town, and yesterday the man was called upon to answer a charge of vagrancy before Messrs W. Marshall and W. F. North, J. P’s., Constable McClinchy read the man’s statement. He had no money on him and Lad no work. Constable McClinchy suggested that he be sentenced to a month so as to get a proper clean-up and be kept under supervision. The Bench asked the man if he made the statement as read. “ Part of it,’ was the reply. In reply to questions by the Bench . the man said he had been working about Sawmills in Taranaki and on the Main Trunk. He gave the names of two well-known firing as his employers. He admitted he had not worked for the last two months. He came to Paeroa because he thought he might get a job taking horses to the show. He had done that .sort oi thing before. He admitted he had no money, but said he could work. The boardinghouse keeper gave evidence with regard to the man coming and getting board, but not paying. The man said he had a job io go to in Paeroa. The Bench considered it was difficult to know how to deal with the man. He was fit. for work and-said he wanted it. Constable McClinchy asked that the man be sent to gaol for a month so as to get a good clean-up and be kept under observation. A man that would make such statements should not be wandering about the country. After consultation the Bench thought a fortnight in gaol would'meet th'3 case. Constable McClinchy urged a month —a fortnight was too short a time. The Bench, to accused: The decision of the Bench is that you be'* sentenced to 14 days in Thames gaol.