SEAMAN IN TROUBLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 June 1939, Page 6

SEAMAN IN TROUBLE

DISTURBANCE & "LANGUAGE” IN PUBLIC OFFICE. MAGISTRATE IMPOSES FINES. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. A disturbance in the office of the Social Security Department yesterday resulted in the appearance before Mr Stilwell, S.M., of David James Cromie, a seaman, aged 47. He pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening manner and also using obscene language. He was convicted and fined £3, in default 14 days’ imprisonment, on one charge, and £l, in default seven days’ imprisonment, on the other. It was stated that the accused called at the Social Security office. He apparently had some business to transact, but was under the influence of liquor. He was given some papers, to fill in and was told to return later. He became abusive and started to use obscene language. Eventually he picked up an inkwell and threw it at one of the clerks. The whole office was upset by his conduct. He still continued to use language-after he had been put out by the office staff. It was a really bad case, said the prosecution, and Cromie had a long list of previous convictions.

Defendant said he was insulted by a member of the staff and lost his temper.