GLOOMY CHRISTMAS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 856, 27 December 1929, Page 1

GLOOMY CHRISTMAS

VAGRANT WHO ROOTED IN DUSTBINS ONE MEAL IN TWO DAYS Dustbins, to Henry Ernest Smith, »re a possible source of food and other articles of value, but particularly food. There was little of festive cheer about his Christmas this year. He had a few pennies to pay for one small meal on Christmas Day and had nothing further until he was found setting out to ransack more dustbins last evening. Smith, a labourer, aged 57, was charged at the Police Court this morning with being idle and disorderly, having insufficient visible means of support. He was described as having no fixed place of abode. Smith pleaded not guilty. Sub-Inspector McCarthy said that the man had been hanging about the streets for about a fortnight and, so bad was his plight, the constable on the beat had given him a shilling to get a bed. It was no good, as the old man was back again on the next night. Constable Hancox said that accused was always poking into dustbins or hanging about doorways. On Christmas Eve witness had given him a shilling to find a bed. East night the old man was back again and had to be arrested. Witness had been told that Smith had had only a penny or two to buy food on Christinas Day and had had nothing at all yesterday. The sub-inspector remarked that Smith was found to have two shillings in coppers when he was brought to the police station.

Chief-Detective Hammond: He has a newsvendor and bill-poster for *0 years and there is nothing against him. He is just down and out. Staff-Captain Holmes, of the Salvation Army, also put in a word for accused. He suggested that the man he remanded for a week and then the Army would take care of him. which course the magistrate decided to follow.