"WAIHI SPECIALS"

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 233, 25 May 1932, Page 7

"WAIHI SPECIALS"

SOME STREET NAMES YOUNG WOMAN BEFQRE COURT AS IDLE AND DISORDERLY. The habits of three sisters and their propensities for parading the streets were the subject of some remarks hy the police in the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, when one of the three, Hilma Ludwig^ was charged with theft and with bejng an idle and disorderly person having' no proper means of support, "Faith, Hope and Charity," "Morning, Noon and Night," and the "Waihi Speeials" were some of the interesting descriptions eommQnly applied to thom, two constables stated in giying evidence in support of the idle and disorderly charge. After hearing evidence, the magistrate (Mr. S. L. Paterson, S.M.) expressed the opinion that the young woman before the court required some proper supervision and discipline to ebeck her thieving propensities, and sentenced her to a two years' detention in a Borstal institution. Ludwig admitted the theft of a purse valued at 3s with ls 2d in money, the property of Doreen Lovie, but pleaded not guilty to the charge of being an idle and disorderly person. Gonstable Roberts, in evidence, said 1 that he had observed the accused about the town for some considerable time, and knew that she regularly frequented the streets in company with her two sisters. He had not i known her to do any work since she | had been in Rotorua. He had fre- ) quently noticed her at the railway station apparently for no good purpose.

She had been suspected of theft on different occasions, and had been living with a married sister who had already been convicted on two occasions and was at present on probation. "Faith, Hope and Charity." Witness stated that he had on occasions seen the accused at dance halls although she had not been frequenting them'a great deal of late. She had been in company with the married sister when the thefts were,, committed by the latter. Accused stated that she had left home because her father was in poor circumstances and was not in a position to support her. Senior-Sergt. Carroll: Are these women known by any name about the town? Yes, they call them "Faith, Hope and Charity," although I don't know why. Constable Kelly added furtber to the ladies' descriptions by stating that they were also known as the "Waihi Speeials" and "Morning, Noon and Night." He knew nothing about the Waihi part of it, but though that "Morning, Noon and Night" referred to their frequent presence on the streets. Complaints "had been received hy the police regarding the language used hy the accused and her sisters on the streets, and also regarding thefts from dance halls. The constable stated that he did not think it would be difficult for the accused to obtain a position as a domestic "although if she got a job he did not expect she would keep it." Did Not Understand. The magistrate pointed out to the accused that under the Act the responsibility of proving a defence rested upon her and asked whether she wished to make a statement or go into the witness-box and give evidence. References to the Act and other et ceteras, however, apparently meant nothing in her life for she failed to respond to His Worship's invitation to provide an explanation. Constable Kelly thereupon repeated his Worship's remarks in a slightly louder key, whereupon the lady stated that she "did not understand any of it." The Magistrate: Well, you have heard what the police said. You have been here seven months . Accused: I have not been here seven months. The Magistrate: The evidence is to the effect that you are always about the streets and have done no work, Have you done any work? "'I have done work. I've done work men wouldn't do — I've worked on farms, so there" protested the accused, bursting into tears. "I worked at an hotel about Christmas." The Magistrate: Why did you leave? Because they could not keep us all on. The Magistrate. The probation officer states that you were dismissed because you were suspected of theft. "I never took a thing," protested the accused vehemently. What did I take? It would have been found out if I had." The Magistrate: The charge of being an idle and disorderly person appears to me to Jbe proven and you have also admitted a charge of theft. It seems to me expedient that you should be placed in detention and under some instruction and discipline with a view to reforming you and stopping your thieving propensities, Accused was sentenced to two years' detention in a Borstal institution.