LOOKING INTO CARS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 943, 9 April 1930, Page 1

LOOKING INTO CARS

VAGRANT ACCOSTED BY MOTORIST “ARMY” TO CARE FOR HIM Caught poking into motor-cars last evening, John Patrick O’Brien was accosted and delivered to a constable by a watchful passer-by. He was given another chance at the Police Court this morning and handed over to the care of the Salvation Army. O'Brien, a labourer, aged 54, pleaded not guilty to being idle and disorderly, having insufficient visible means of support. Constable Gillespie, who took O'Brien to the Central Police Station, read a statement made by accused. The man’s explanation of how he came to be looking into the car was that he had been having a few drinks with t motorist who told him to go and wait in his car. O’Brien stated that he had poked his head in the car and picked up an overcoat to make sure that he had picked up the right car. He had been sleeping out since his arrival in Auckland last Friday. He had done only four days’ work since January and had covered most of the North Island from Wellington searching for employment. . Police evidence was to the effect that O’Bric.i, who said that the car he was looking for was a “baby’’ model, had also been gazing into a big saloon car, which was locked. Senior-Sergeant Powell said O’Brien had been sentenced to a month’s imprisonment in Gisborne for theft. “Well he has not stolen anything here yet, but there is a term of six months waiting for him —not one month —if he does,” commented Mr. F. IC. Hunt, S.M.. and O’Bri'/n was convicted J and ordered to come up for sentence if ! called upon.