"BIRD OF PASSAGE."

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVII, Issue 9128, 25 October 1917, Page 7

" BIRD OF PASSAGE."

YOUNG MAN CHARGED WITH THEFT.

FINED 20s OR SEVEN DAYS

At the Ashburton Magistrate's Court this morning, before Messrs W. W. White and G. Andrews, J.'s.P., Frederick Thomas McCormick, a young man, who appeared on remand, was charged that ou October 8, at Longbeach, he did steal a watch, valued at 10s, the property of James Gasson. . Accused, in answer to the usual question, pleaded guilty. Constable Ingram,- who prosecuted for the police, said that the complainant left his whare early on rth@ morning in question, and on retWning in the evening found that it had been ransacked. ; The police were then informed. The : accused left Longbeach; on October 8, find brought the watchi into Ashburton to get it repaired. The watch was traced to a jeweller's shop/i and- subsequently the accused was, arrested and charged with theft. The 1 accused came f^om Auckland, and he; said he was only 17 years of age. J. ,"The Bench (iq accused): Is tbatj .correct ?■; '' )■_ ■' ■■■'.[ ■. ; ' ' ' .■ "^ ;' '-,\

'■'"!f-The\; accused, uf Yes, -your i-worships j; ■;! i;:4Gontiriuing, 1 ihe'• constable-said tHpti.' the accused':wa&; a "'Bird /of' '•passage;};; he had had three jobs in :t 'tery.'shor&i time.-;./- '■"■'■ r" "■ ' :;. V.' ' ':'} 'The ' Bench : Why don't you settle!. down and get a good job ?

The accused: I want to see the land I was born in.' It is the only way I can do it. ' The constable said nothing was known about the accused, and he would not say anything. He had 12s 3d on him when he was arrested.

The Bench: We will fine you 20s, in default seven days? imprisonment. Don't, get the idea ijitp your head that you can; go about ransacking - whares..i - The- constable -said he did not think the accused could find tho money. In reply to the Bench, accused said he did not havo a job to go to, but he intended applying to a registry office. " Can you get me a job ?" he asked, appealing to the Bench.

Mr White said he knew lof a man wanting a ploughman. The accused: I can't plough. Constable Ingram: said that the accused would not^^iop, at any job. He had one at Springburn the other day. .. , ''

The accused: It is not my fault that KRiciid: not keep _that < job. Someone' started prying . into my affairs, and told tho employer that I could not be trusted, and of course I could not stay.

The accused left'the dock,'.-.undeter-mined whether to pay the fine or "do", the seven days.