AFTER HOLIDAYS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 860, 2 January 1930, Page 6

AFTER HOLIDAYS

FOUR MEN FOUND ASLEEP IN DOMAIN VAGRANTS BEFORE COURT A.s the holidays draw to a close and country visitors run through their money, there are some who are forced to seek a nightly refuge where they may. A search of the Auckland Domain last night by Detective Packman resulted in four vagrants appearing at the Police Court this morning. Two were given a chance to get back to work in the country, one was remanded. and the fourth was sentenced to three mouths’ imprisonment. Robert Kinns. a moulder, aged G2, pleaded guilty to being idle and disorderly, having insufficient visible means of support. “Give me a chance, and I’ll get out of town," he said. Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M.: Let’s hear a little about you first. Chief-Detective Hammond said that the man had 47 previous convictions. He hac been loafing about town since his last conviction. He was pretty shaky. “Just an ordinary loafer,” commented the magistrate as he imposed a term of three months’ imprisonment. Found sleeping in an outbuilding at the Domain, James Smith, a bootmaker aged 6*>, pleaded guilty on the vagrancy charge. He said that he had been out of work for two months. According to the chief detective, the man had seldom been before the court, and this was his first appearance on a charge of vagrancy. The man had no home and had done nothing since April. “I have stayed with the Salvation Army and anywhere else I could get a bed,’’ said accused. Smith was remanded until Saturday, the magistrate remarking that he would see whether the Army could give him any help. “I had money, but I spent it all yesterday,” said Alfred Ferguson, pleading guilty to a charge of vagrancy. “I have work to go to.” The chief detective said that Ferguson had been found asleep in the Domain grandstand. He was a man with a pretty fair list and had been up in May last for drunkenness. Accused was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. He was told by Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., that unless he returned to Papakura, where he was working, immediately, he would be sent to gaol. As he had not appeared before the court since 1924, Patrick Cavanagh was also given a chance after pleading guilty to being idle and disorderly. Cavanagh. a fireman aged 45, was found a.sleep in the Domain grandstand, according to the chief detective. Cavanagh had three previous convictions for drunkenness and one for assault, but had not been before the court for five or six years. Cavanagh explained that he was working for the Public Works Department in the country, but, being put off for ten days, had come to town. He would catch the next train back. “You can catch that train or the police van.” said the magistrate, convicting Cavanagh and ordering him to come up for sentence when called upon.