POLICE COURT, HAMILTON. [Before Mr Northcroft, R.M.]

Waikato Times, Volume XX, Issue 1685, 24 April 1883, Page 2

POLICE COURT, HAMILTON. [Before Mr Northcroft, R.M.]

i *", i- vagrancy. 1 Jamb^ Lloyd was charged by the police ■ with having cotrfmitted a breach of the I Vagrant Act by begging at Hamilton 1 East, the previous evening. 'l*he prisoner said he had come into thW : town late and Mas knocked up, or he would not have begged. Sergt. McGovcrn said prisoner was an | old He > was Mi tlta district 1 some years ago, and was sent to gaol for an offence similar to that 'with which hi 1 i was now charged. He called W. F. Bell, a baker, carrying on business at Hamilton East, uho deposed that prisoner had entered his shop on | the preceding , night and solicited alms, I saying he was hungry and tiredi Witness said he would not give him money, but that he was welcome to a loaf of bread or ! anything of that kind. Prisoner declined to take food, and went away. He returned some time afterwards and repeated his request for two shillings, when witness threatened to fetch the police. In answer to the magistrate, prisoner said he was a hard-working man, and was on his way to Ohaupo, where he expected to get work in the bush. He had been on the spree in Auckland and spent all his money, and had no opportunity of earning any on his way up the Waikato. He begged his Worship to overlook his offence this time and he would never transgress again. Mr , Northcroft said prisoner had no excuse. He could easily have earned sufficient money to buy food on his way up. He would send him to Mount Eden gaol for one month, with hard labour. Another Case. Thomas Kerr, who was discharged on his own recognisances on the previous day, was again brought up, and pleaded guilty to fresh offences ' committed since his dischaigp. Sergt. McGovein said the prisoner had been brought up to the district by Mt Cussen, District .Surveyor, and as he had been going about complaining of the bad tieatment he had reeoncd at Mi Cussen 's hand*., he (Sergt. McGovern) thought it only light, with the permission of the court, to set the matter in its proper light. He then called Frodciick Mace, assistant to Mr Cussen, who deposed that nusonor had been engaged as cook to the party for the King country. The survey did not, however, proceed as intended, owing to the action of the natives. Kerr was told by witness and others several times to stay at their ciiiup in Hamilton, so that he had not the slightest occasion for begrriiinr S'irgt. McGovern said the bench would remember that prisoner pleaded that the money he obtained Mas to buy food. Prisoner begged very hard to be let off. He felt thoroughly ashamed of himself. He had never been in such a position befoie. and if he got a chance this time he would take care of himself in the future. Mr Northcroft said he could not give prisoner a second chance ; he would send him to gaol for two months with hard labour.