THE UNEMPLOYED.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3882, 11 August 1891, Page 2

THE UNEMPLOYED.

False Pretences. Fourteen Says' Sari Labour. In the Eketabnna ft. M. Court yesterday, before Mwars A. Anderson and H. Aulin, J.'s P., Frederick Moss was charged with obtaining goods under false pretenees. The accusad, who was one of a party of twenty-one unemployed recently sent to Eketahuna, pleaded not guilty. Constable Roche conducted the prosecution. Aaron Johnston, sworn, stated: I am a bush contractor in the Hutt Special Settlement Block. I know the accused a3 being one of a party of the unemployed I had engaged to work for me. When I had engaged them (seven in all) they said they had no tent or axes. I brought them into Eketahuna and took them into C. E. Brenmuhl's store, and asked the latter to give them anything they required. I paid their board at Anderson's Hotel that night, and next morning they went out to the camp. On Saturday morning they did not roll up to breakfast, but after being called tbey turned up. On our way to work one of the men said, '' You had better look after those three men, as I doubt if they intend coming to work. They intend clearing out." When I turned back they were just clearing camps. I called on them, but they did not stop, so I rode in and informed Constable Roche.

Frederick Jagerhorn, sworn, stated: lam storeman for Brenmuhl. I know the accused as being one of four men brought in by Johoston. I supolied them with the goods to his order. I gave each man a separate account as he wished it so. The Bench : Would you have given the goods without a written order ? Yes, if the employer brought them himself. You are storeman for Brenmuhl ? -Yes. Constable Roche, Bworn, stated: On information received I proceeded to Hawera, and then on to Pabiatua where I overtook the accused just entering the township. He was very civil. j

Thomas Robinson was charged with a similiar offence, and pleaded not guilty. A. Johnston gave the same evidence as in the previous case. The Bench: Was he a good workmap? Witness: He worked well enough but was not much of a bnshman. The Bench: Are you in the habit of letting your men get what things ", ' «nd having it entered to theywani ° you? - t Witness : This is about the firs* time I have done so. This man worked 15 hours. When tearing the camp I called him to stop but he tnrned and wanted to fight me. John Dow, called, said he knew the accused in Dunedin. The Benoh i You and Johnston are in the habit of playing paidß ai night ? I Witness; Yes.

F. Jaqerhorn gave corroborative evidence. George Brenton was charged with a similar offence and pleaded not guilty. The same evidence was given as in the previous cases. The accused stated that he only intended looking for a job further un, and intended paying Mr Johnston when he had the money. The Bench found each of the accused guilty and sentenced them to fourteen days' hard labour in the Wellington Terace Gaol.