MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 November 1916, Page 4

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

ELDERLY WOMAN'S PLIGHT. WITHOUT FOOD AND SHELTER. "Tliis unfortunate woman is close on 70 year of age," said Senior Sergeant Bowden when describing Catherine Haughey. who was charged before Messrs. If. li. Catley and J. S. S. Medley, •/.'si'., in the Magistrate- Court yeatorday with being an idle and disorderly person. The sergeant went on to say that defendant was well-connected, and that drink was her chief weakness. The evidence showed that defendant was discharged from prison on Saturday after serving a short term for vagrancy, Shu was given an opportunity of entering an inatitution but declined. Early on Sunday morning she was found wandering in Devon street, without friends, food or shelter. On Tuesday night and on Wednesday morning she was on the Esplanade, wet through, and in a state of drunkenness. Senior Sergeant Bowden suggested that a substantial term of imprisonment be imposed in order that • arrangements might be made for her removal to the care of her relatives. The Bench convicted defendant, and sentenced her to two months' imprisonment. The sentence was imposed, it was stated, mainly for the purpose t" afforoing the woman shelter until %,■ relatives took charge of her. ILLEGALLY ON PREMISES. Arcy Holland pleaded not guilty to a charge of being a rogue and a vaag-, bond. Evidence was given that accused had been in the town for .some time and had done little work. He was found on Thursday morning illegally in the enclosed premises of C. A. Hawke, of Egmont street. The accused said he had tried to get work at his trade, that of a tinsmith, but had been unsuccessful. He was given a laborer's job to do on Monday, anil he spent seven hours at this until the inclement weather caused him to stop for the time being. He was without money on Wednesday night, and sought shelter in the place where he was found by the police. The accused pleaded for an opportunity to get backto his work A conviction was recorded, and accused was ordered to come up for senmonths. MISCELLANEOUS. A fill'st offender, /harged with drunkenne«, was convicted, and was ordered to forfeit his hail, ltts. The prohibition order issued against Joseph Moody was renewed at the instance of his wife.