ILL-LUCK OR-?

Southland Times, Issue 20082, 20 January 1927, Page 6

ILL-LUCK OR-?

VAGRANCY CHARGES WELL-KNOWN CHARACTER BEFORE COURT. MAGISTRATE’S SYMPATHETIC TREATMENT. Fred S. Clark, who earned a certain degree of notoriety in the last Tiniaru —Christchurch road race, appeared in the Police Court yesterday to answer a charge of being an idle and disorderly person without lawful visible means of support. In the dock with him stood Euphemia Munro, and she, having on a previous occasion being convicted of being idle and disorderly, faced the charge of being deemed a rogue and a vacabond. When asked how he pleaded, Clark replied “I suppose guilty is the word for that.” Euphemia Munro said nothing, which the Magistrate regarded as a plea of not guilty. It was announced that, the accused if they wished could be tried by a Judge and iurv. “Oh no, this will do,” declared Mrs Munro. Sergeant Fox explained that the accused had been arrested that morning. They had for some time been living as man and wife in a small hut under dirty conditions. They admitted they had no means of support when arrested. Constable Watt gave evidence of having arrested the two in a small hut in Tyne street. The woman had been living with Clark for about a month. Clark admitted he was existing on what he could cadge. “Pardon me, I never cadged in my life,” interrupted Clark. “I think I have done wrong in pleading guilty,” he added. “I have looked for work everywhere.” At the Magistrate’s direction his plea was then entered as not guilty. Sergeant Hewitt said that he had known both the accused for some time. They were living together in a small 9 x 12 hut. During the last twelve months Clark had done little or no work. The shrill voice of the female blended with Clark’s baritone to declare that why he had done no work was because he couldn’t get it. “I’ve got money in the bank,” continued Clark. The Magistrate: There’s no harm in his living in the hut with another woman. That’s his own look out. What is the exact reason for the charge being brought? Sergeant Fox —The point is that they have no lawful means of support. The case was stood down for some time but was resumed just before lunch. The Magistrate, before allowing the case to proceed, said that he wanted to be satisfied that Clark was not merely unfortunate in not being able to get work. Sergeant Fox said that the police had reason to believe that he was living on the illegitimate means of the woman with whom he was co-habiting. Moreover he was not a desirable person about town, indulging in queer competitions at street corners for the amusement of a certain section of the community. Clark interrupted to state that he owned two pianos. One was in certain auction rooms for sale, the other in the hut. The Magistrate expressed surprise that a 9 x 12 hut could contain a piano as well as the requirements for two people. This led Clark to declare that many of the neighbours could assert that he had a piano. Some of them had come in to hear him play. He had tried hard to get work but no one would employ him. “I have £75 mortgage on a property,” he stated. “To-morrow the half-year’s interest of £2 12/6 falls due, and if I live till July I’ll get the whole £75 plus interest. I’ve never been on the booze in my life.” In reply to the Magistrate, Clark stated that he had been 15 years in New Zealand. He had been in every town from Christchurch to the Bluff. “Send me back to the Old Country,” he urged, “where I’ll get the dole. I paid my passage out fifteen years ago and have not a blemish on my character. I can work anyone off his legs. 'The.other day I carried a bag of coal up to my place on my back.” Mr. Cruickshank: I think Invercargill is getting a bit tried of you. How about going to Dunedin ? Clark: I’d rather try Gore, your Worship. I’m not so well known there, and I could cycle there. The Magistrate: Yes. I understand you’re a bit of a cyclist. Clark: I rode to Christchurch from here and then back to Kawarau looking for work. The Magistrate: I understand they raised a subscription for you at Christchurch. Clark: It was only £3. I’d hardly call that a subscription. He added that £250,000 had been spent on the Boys’ High School, and that he had been unable to earn a penny working oh the building though he had made frequent representations. The Magistrate stated that vagrancy cases were puzzling. He did not like sending a person to prison if he were merely unfortunate. Clark was remanded for a week in custody, and the charge against Euphemia Munro was dismissed.