POLICE COURT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5010, 6 August 1926, Page 2

POLICE COURT.

YOUNG MEN IN TROUBLE. CHARGES OF SOLICITING. A young man ri'iined John Wilson appeared before Messrs .W, Marshall and G. P. Lamb, J’s,P., at the Paeroit Police Court yesterday charged with soliciting alms' in Belmont Road on Wednesday last. Robert Henry Johnston was also charged with being a rogue and vagabond in that he had no visible means of s itpport.

Both accused elected to be deal with summarily, and on the application of the police it was agreed to take the two charges together. Wilson pleaded guilty and Johnston not guilty. Albert Benzy, restaurant proprietor, Paeroa, said that both accused had had meah- in his shop, but on Wednesday they appeared twice and asked to be supplied “with a feed on tick.” He - did not know the accused, and he refused to comp'y with the request/

Constable McClinchy said that the two men had arrived from Auckland by ‘he. set vice car on Tuesday. On Wednesday he had observed them hanging round the hotels and drinking freely. During the afternoon he cautioned them to get out of the town and keep oilt of trouble. Wilson, the younger of the two, was a married main with a wife and child living at Putaruru. Recently Wilsr-n had been convicted for drunkenness at Putaruru and was described by the police of that town as a “waster.” Johnston had previously been convicted, including a charge of being idle and disorderly. The last time he had appeared before the Court he had been convicted and placed on probation for 12 months at Auckland. In the termsl of his probation accused had to report to the police each week, and he had no right to leave Auckland without the consent of the senior probation officer. Witness pointed out t,r.at Johnston’s past record was a. bad one, and a substantial penally was asked for.

WilfC’i., who had a il note- in his possession when arrested, denied that hs or his mate had'asked for free meals at the fish-shop. A denial aim given that he had deserted his wife at Putaruru. Whi'e admitting tii', p'evious conviction he said that lie ).?.d left Putaruru .lecause of it. Before leaving he and his wife had bee.n working on the farm of Mr Frith, and £5 had been left with his wifes :and there was also about £ll due .to them as wages!. He had gone to Auckland to look for another job ■a;nd had paid his way since leaving Putaruru.

Johnston said he did not know that he had broken the terms of his probation. He was now "down .and out,” but had made ah earnest endeavour to find employment. An undertaking would be given that he would immediately leave the town if given a chance.

P. E. Brenan sa.id that Johnston had called .on him and > asked for monetary assistance. Accused, who was. a returned soldier, had believed him to be the repatriation officer, or a person in a position to distribute patriotic funds. Wilson, who accompanied Johnston, did not speak to witness.. Both accused appeared to have been drinking. The Bench intimated that it was loathe to send a young man to gaol. Wilson would be given a final chance to make good and return to his wife and child. A conviction would be entered, accused to come up (Sor sentence if called upon within 12 months, and he would be placed on probation for six months.. Johnston presented a, difficult proposition, and it was clear that-it was undesirable for him to be permitted to roam the town penniless. A conviction was entered, and accused was sentenced to seven days’ imprisonment in Mt. Elden Gaol.