VAGRANCY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3766, 23 May 1907, Page 3

VAGRANCY.

At the local Police Court this morning, before Messrs Thos. Rimmer and P. Hennessy, J.’sP., a middle ag£d and respectably dressed female, named Jane Waldie, was charged by the police with vagrancy. She pleaded not guilty. Accused said she lived with her husband at Palmerston and she came to Foxton last Monday to see a friend and had started drinking with her. Constable Dickson stated that the accused arrived last Monday. He saw her knocking about after closing hours. She was refused a bed at Whyte’s Hotel and W'as accommodated at the Ranfurly Boardinghouse. She had been in Foxton since and was a perfect nuisance. She had been in and around the back of the Anglican Church at night in the company of men and complaints had -been made to the police. She had also been consorting with men in the back streets. At 20 minutes past 10 last night she was being followed about by a number of young fellows. In reply to the Bench accused stated she had three children and her husband was a carpenter. She had come to see a friend and had started drinking. She asked to be allowed to go away by the next train.

Constable Woods gave evidence that accused had been under the influence of liquor and had not been stopping with any friend. A dozen young fellows had been chasing her here, .there and everywhere. She was arrested last night. The town did not want this class of woman kicking about. Accused said her friend lived a ‘ ‘ bit out ’ ’ —a Mrs White. She had means to go home. Her husband would never forgive her if he thougnt such charges had been brought against her. She admitted to the police that she had been previously locked up for drunkenness, had signed the pledge and broken it. The Bench decided to place her in charge of the police until the train left. Accused pleaded to be allowed to be relieved of the company of the constables but the Bench was obdurate.