FLOTSAM AND JETSAM.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5210, 30 November 1927, Page 3

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM.

ONE OF LIFE’S HUMAN WRECKS.

CASE AT MATAMATA.

He stood there in the court, a comparatively young man, not yet reached the prime of life —stooped, unkempt, with long hair invading neck and ears, several days’ growth of “stubble” on his cheeks, a curious vacancy of expression in his face and eyes, and altogether the picture of the down-and-out, without anything of the devil-may-care romantic touch of the. typical sundowner of song and story, who merrily sings and whistles, and of whom the line, “Tramp, tramp, tramp,. along the highway,” conjures up a vision. And yet this figure aroused more pity than hostility, for he, seemed harmless enough. His face was not bad, nor yet exactly weak, but vacant and wanting, as though same part of, his mental make-up had slipped away, leaving the rest inert and unable properly to function. His fcands, too, though not* immaculate, were yet not the hands of the mere “bulacker”; the fingers were long, and deft-looking, as though they might, under happier circumstances, have drawn melody from musical instruments, or executed cunning craftsmanship. This impression was boric out when it was stated in evidence that he was an electrician, fully qualified. However, the following is the full text pf the charge made against this social failure drifting about on the ocean of life :— “Robert Arnold Kearsey: On the 23rd November, 1927, at Matamata, having insufficient means pf support, and having been previously convicted of haying been an idle and disorderly person, shall be deemed to be a rogue and a vagabond.” Nothing very desperate, but certainly not “nice.” It placed the man outside the pale wherein the rest of us live and have our being according to the liberties, restrictions, and responsibilities of social and legal codes. The man, by failure to observe these, codes, had become designated “the accused,” and the accused pleaded not guilty. Constable Mathieson entered the witness box and explained and the wherefore to Messrs J. W. Simpson and T. J. Underwood, J’s.P. (states the Matamata Record). The man had been moving round Okauia, and the witness came across him when accused was walking towards Matamata. His presence at Okauia, jTith no apparent object in view , had frightened the womenfolk. Accused had recently be°,n discharged from the Auckland gaol for a similar offence. The fellow had slept by the roadside, and one way and another he was considered to be a menace to the neighbourhood. The man, standing there, when looked to for his version, promptly put his side of the case in a way that indicated some former experience in defence. He had been at the Springs, which was a public place. He ‘had paid for his bath and had molested nobody. Here was a facer. The court (•bed its several eyebrows, knowing inwardly that something was amiss, obviously so, and yet having nothing very substantial to go upon. The Bench questioned him, and he told them '■he had been working at Te ArOha until a few days ago, and he saw no reason why he should bei so charged. Constable Mathieson said the man was a fully qualified electrician, capable of earning from £6 a week upwards. The Bench knew that something had to be done, and that accused’s manner of existence ould not be allowed to be continued indefinitely; that he had been convicted previously no doubt settled any doubt they had in their minds about giving him the credit of the aforesaid doubt. “You cannot be allowed tp roam about the country in this aimless fashion, disturbing the peace of mind of the people in isolated places,” said Mr Underwood. “You were convicted upon a similar charge at Auckland. We do not wish to be hard on you, but if you comei up before the court again you will be severely dealt with. You will be convicted and discharged, conditionally upon your leaving the place by the first train- You take my advice and get out as quickly as possible.” That was about all the justices could do, but to the onlooker it all so incomplete and unsatisfactory. Surely in a country that is supposed to be advanced in social legislation there ought to be a farm colony or a half-way house of some sort where these, derelicts might be either repaired and made seaworthy once more or, if too far gone, kept there or in some other institution where such hulks would not become a menace to navigation on the sea of social and economic life. There is indeed loom for reform.