IMPROVIDENT YOUNG MAN.

Shannon News, 28 April 1922, Page 3

IMPROVIDENT YOUNG MAN.

OWES £65 ON A MOTOR-CYCLE

AND SPENDS £55,

A young man who had contracted a debt of £65 19/1 appeared before Mi R. M. Watson in the Magistrate's Court at Levin on Wednesday. Under cross-examination by Mr Adams and the Magistrate he stated that in November, 1920, he purchased a. motor-cycle on a £SO deposit, and later sold it for £75 when he wa? out of employment. He put £55 in his pocket, paid another £2O off the purchase money of the bicycle, and .went in search of employment. The debt represented the balance of the purchase money. He,‘gained employment'at intervals, and was eventually reduced to flax-cutting, which he commenced in August or September of last year, and worked at that until the mill closed a fortnight ago. He expected that he would be taken, on again when the mill started again :n six weeks or two months’ time. He was a learner at the work, he said, and it took a man fully six months to become adept, consequently for a long time he had made little more, than 35' a fortnight clear of his board. The Magistrate {Mr R. M. Watson): “A hefty young fellow like you, must have made 25/ or 30/ a day - after a while.”

“Excuse me, sir,” replied tl:e defendant, “you don’t understand flaxcutting.”

“Oh, yes, I do; I'know all about it., I have been in the Shannon district a good deal and know what these I.'axcutters' make. I know what it is,” re- j turned Mr Watson. }

“Not for a living, though,” remarked defendant.

The Magistrate then took the importunity to deliver a few remarks on the necessity for thrift. The young man was single, his Worship added, and had actually put £55 in his pocket and spent, it. Now he was out. of work and in need of money. When the flaxmills re-opened he could resume work and would then be ie-

quired to pay off the debt or go to gaol for three months. The order would be for the payment of 10/ a week as from July 1.