YOUTHFUL VAGRANTS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3024, 22 October 1908, Page 5

YOUTHFUL VAGRANTS.

Two young men named Arthur Jones and Alfred Keeble were charged before Mr W. P. James, S.M., at the Masterton Police Court yesterday morning with being idle and disorderly persons, having no lawful visible means of support Both pleaded not guitly, and Sergt. Miller stated in evidence that the two accused were a plague to the town, having done no work since last month. On the 4th of September they were charged with assaulting a Chinaman, and generally they had conducted themselves in larrikin fashion. Keeble was the younger of the two, and since he had become a companion of Jones his father could do nothing with him, and Mr Keeble had asked the police to endeavour to do what they could to reform him. The mother of the boy had told witness that accused slept at home, but she did not supply him with food. Accused Jones was suspected of having supplied a prohibited person with liquor.

Constable Johnson deposed that information had been supplied to him on Tuesday that the two accused were in company with a man from the country who was believed to have a fair sum of money. Accused Jones, on oath, said he was very seldom out of work, and lodged at home, paying his mother various sums for board money. He had a job to go to shearing as soon as the sheds opened on about the Ist of November. Witness lost bis previous job through the assault case in which he was concerned. Keeble also said he lived at home, and had a job to go to. The Magistrate asked Keeble if he would cut Jones' acquaintanceship if he were given an opportunity to reform, but Keeble replied that he preferred not to do so. The Magistrate severely lectured both accused, and adjourned the case for. a month to allow them an opportunity to get work.