HOOD, THE HUNCH-BACK.

NZ Truth, Issue 74, 17 November 1906, Page 4

HOOD, THE HUNCH-BACK.

FIRST SAW THE LIGHT IN GAOL.

A Starter m the Habitual Criminal

Stakes.

He Prayed to God That He Would Not

be Caught.

Charles Robert Hood is a. hunchback and is good for nothing. ' He is a, criminal and a drunkard, and, as he is fast piling up a record, nothing is more certain than that this young man, for such he is, will ere long be classified as an habitual criminal, whose detention m a penitentiary is desirable m the interests of society. Hood goes through life double-handi-capped. In these days of bustle and hustle m the strenuous endeavor for existence the hunch-back is away behind scratch. Hood, m addition to his infirmity, is tainted with penalism.- Twenty-two years ago he first saw the light m Wellington Gaol, and that gaol seems to have a peculiar

fascination for him. Perhaps he caiinot help it ; he is a thief, and

A CUNNING THIEF at that, a#d Magistrate McAtthur, m sentencing him to three months' imprisonment on Thursday morning, on a charge of theft of a clock, told him that he was ,on the way to become a professional criminal. He thought out his Crooked acts and then carried them out at the first opportunity. This, according to the records, is Hood's fourth conviction for theft. He will not make an effort to lead an honest, straightforward life. He seemed, according to Chief Detective McGratli, too fond of the ga&l where his mother bore him. Hood had only come out of prison a few days, when he went, under the influence of drink, armed with a letter to the Chief of Detectives m Wellington, and m accordance with the request made m the lettet, that officer promised to do what he could to get Hood work. Evidently, when the hunchback got his sober senses, his good intentions were dropped by the wayside.

Ih a boardinghouse m Cuba-street, kept by Mrs Elizabeth McLeod, Hood nut up on Sunday night last. While there lie was attracted by a clock which ticked tediously m the parlor. Beifls; hafd-up. Mrs McLeod 's heart went out to him, and she gave him sixpence to get something for himself, on his journey to Ma&terton, whither Hood announced he was going on the Monday. He left the house, but, awaiting a fitting opportunity", silently sneaked back and stole i hat clock, valued at 255, which he disposed of to

A SECOND-HAND SHARK for 2s 6d.

The case was placed m the hands of Acting-Detective Rawle, who on Wednesday night located his "wanted" matt ah the Bethel m Tory-street. The rest was easy. Hood was roped m, and confided to the 'tec that at the moment the message reached him that a gentleman ' wanted to see him, he was in' the act of praying, no doirfbt m conformity with the rules of the ber-lessed establishment. "Prayine:. 1 ' mtirmured the incredulous 'tec. "Yes, praying to God that I wouldn't be caught for this job."