“A REAL WASTER.”

Shannon News, 5 September 1922, Page 2

“A REAL WASTER.”

GETS THREE MONTHS GAOL. Yesterday morning before Messrs W. Murdoch! and Spencer, J.’sP., a man named Thomas Knight appeared to answer a charge s of drunkenness, and also being an idle and disorderly person in that he had insufficient means oi support. Accused pleaded guilty to drunkenness and not guilty to the latter charge.

Constable McGregor stated that accused, together with his wife arid two children, arrived in Shannon about two weeks ago penniless. He went, to Mr Abbott lor assistance who found accommodation for him and his family irom Saturday to Monday morning when the Charitable Aid Board’s representative came to their aid and work was found for accused at Mangahao. On Friday last- Knight left the job and came into Shannon and on Saturday went up to Palmerston, returning by the evening train helplessly drunk. He was eventually found lying, on the road in Vonce Street, where he was arrested. He had spent all his money and had no work to go to. When arrested he had one bottle of rum" and one of whisky and four bottles of beer. The constable informed the Bench that Knight was “a real waster.” He had o'nly worked 8£ days in the last six months.

Accused, when asked if he had anything to say, stated he would repay the £4 he received from the Charitable; Aid Board if given another chance.

The Bench, in finding accused guilty, stated he had been given every assistance to get on his feet, but as soon as he got any money he spent it on drink. The State would not put up with that sort- of thing and in their opinion a person who acted like he had done should receive a flogging. On the charge of drunkenness accused was fined £1 or 48 hours’ imprisonment and on the charge of being idle and disorderly he received three months’ imprisonment with hard labour in the Wellington gaol.