CROSSED LUCK

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 670, 24 October 1933, Page 6

CROSSED LUCK

LIVING ON WINNERS MAGISTRATE NOT SATISFIED WITH AN ACCUSED'S EXPLANATION THREE MONTHS HARD Christchurch, SatUi'day. For the last week or two, James King, 45, a painter, told Mr. E. D. Mosley, .S.M., in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, he had not worked because he had been backing winners. King pleaded not guilty to a charge of being idle and disorderly in that he had insufficient lawful visible means of support, but he 'failed to satisfy the magistrate that his means of livelihood were lawful, and he was senteneed to three months' inxprisonment with hard labour. ' Detective J. McClung gave evidence and named several convicted and reputed thieves with whom accused had been seen associating. He was in the habit of hanging round the doors of hotels. Dr. Haslam asked what was the last day accused had been seen with a convicted thief. ' Witness : There are not many around the town to consort with now. Most of them are away. The magistrate: Working for their country are they? / Witness: Some of them are, and others are following the shows round. ,Dr. Hasiam raised an objection to the evidence of the police that accused cou.sorted with reputed thieves, which verged on hearsay. The magistrate said that "reputed thieves" were the words of the Act, so that there was .iustification for the police giving that evidence. Accused said in evidence that he made a living selling suit lengths and similar goods. He had not worked lately, but in the last week or two he had been backing a few horses and had been lueky. He had won money at New Brighton and at a North Island meeting. The magistrate asked hira how he had managed to win money at a North Island meeting. Accused hcntaied and then smiled. Dr. Haslam: If that were the standard, sir, many respectable citizens might be facing this charge. The magistrate: It is an offence againsfc the law. I only asked for my own information. Accused cont.inued that he had been offered goods which he presumed were stolen, but he had refused .to do business with them. He intended to go to Dunedin in a day or two. Some of the men named he had known since they wero schoolboys. He could not help but speak to them. He did not know they had convictions against them. He had been to the hospital for treatment for rheumatism. To the chief -detective accused denied that he had tried to hide a diamond ring that was in his possession when he was searched. He had backed General Wrack. The two double charts in his possession had been given to him. He was very fond of racing. _ The magistrate said ihat accused had to satisfy the court that he'had lawful means of livelihood. In th h case he was entxrely dissatisfied. Accused would be senteneed to three months' imprisonment with hard labour.