“UNFORTUNATE CASE”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 September 1940, Page 4

“UNFORTUNATE CASE”

THREE MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT. ACCUSED FOUND ASLEEP IN FARM RESIDENCE. “It is a most unfortunate case. It is the opinion of the Court that a spell of gaol will give you a chance to get the methylated spirits out of your system,” stated Mr R. Krahagen, J.P., with whom was associated Mr L. J. Taylor, J.P., in the Masterton Magistrate's Court this morning, when sentencing John Gordon Scoullar, alias Schoullar, to three months’ hard labour on a charge of being a rogue and a vagabond. ■ In outlining the case Senior-Sergeant G. A. Doggett stated that Scoullar was found asleep on the kitchen floor of Mr Donald McKenzie’s residence, “Woodlands,” Masterton, at 7 a.m. by Mrs McKenzie. He was under the influence of methylated spirits and alongside him was found a pint bottle containing half a pint of methylated spirits. The accused gave no reason for his presence when arrested by Constables R. L. Hollis and A. W. Nalder. He had 12 previous convictions recorded against him relating to theft and drunkenness charges. “His presence caused some alarm to Mrs McKenzie,” added the Senior-Sergeant. “That will do me no harm,” remarked the accused after sentence had been passed. He added that he had expected at least 12 months.