DRINKER OF METHYL.

Shannon News, 8 February 1929, Page 4

DRINKER OF METHYL.

ANNOYS PEOPLE AT MANAKAU.

FEMALE RESIDENTS ALARMED.

A young man named' William Atkinson, who possesses some twenty convictions and who recently was. liberated from goal, appeared before Messrs W. B. Smith and H. Nicolson, J.'sP., on Saturday, charged (1) with the: theft of trousers, shirt, and towel,., value 30:?/ the property of George Gray, of South Manakau, and (2) with being an incorrigible rogue. , Atkinson pleaded guilty to both charges and expressed a desire be sent to Pakatoa. • This .the Justices had no power to do, but considered it was a matter that might well be considered by the authorities, it being admitted that the man was in. a very low state, due, largely, to the drinking of methylated spirits. Constable Satherley stated that Atkinson had gone to Manakau, and had so frightened a lady shop-keeper that sihe had boltqd herself nmide her premises for two hours, while another woman in the same township had been stopped and a demand made that the contents of the bag bo shown. When questioned regarding the theft Atkinr son at first denied taking the articles but when taken to Gray's admitted the charge.* Atkinson was sentenced to 18 months on one charge and three months on the other, sentences to be concurrent.