SHADOWED BY THE POLICE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 181, 2 August 1893, Page 5

SHADOWED BY THE POLICE.

A HAWKER BEFORE THE COURT.

THE ACCUSED DISMISSED,

At tho Police Courb this morning, a young man named James Harvey was charged with having, since the 20fcb July last), been an idleanddisordorly person, and with having no visible means of Bupporb. Mr Napier appeared for accused and pleaded nob guilty. MrR. S. Bush, KM., and MrJ. Pollard, J.P.. were on the Bench. Chief Detective Grace stated that he had known acsuaed for some time, 'but had never known him to do a stroke of work. He bad seen him aboub the Btreets ab all houra of the night. Witneas then made a statemenb as to the character of accused, bub Mr Napier contented thab witnees should confine himself to the charge. The information said nothing about the accused being a thief. Acting Detective McMahon gave similar evidence. Detective Chrystal eaid he too had seen accused ahout ab all hours of the night. Accused had informed him that he bad been selling " snoddy." Witness was aware that accused had now in his possession a hawker's license from the Ciby Council, bub he was sure that he had uob obtained ib until after warned of prosecution by Chief Detective Grace. He had merely gob it as a cover. Accused whenever seen by the police tried to run away from them. Mr Napier: Don't you think ib a very laudable thing for persons to geb oub of bhe way of the police? Witness : No, I don't. Ido nob see the necessity for such a course. Mr Napier: In the case of the poor man Barnes, for instance, where the police were for ever hunting hitn^boub. Inspector Hioksori: The police never hunted Barnes. Mr Napier: You went and informed a gentleman who offered him employment what his past had been. Inspector Hickson: I never did. Mr Napier, inn opening Hhe defence, stated thab in this case the Bench saw in real life the principal character of Victor -Hugo's celebrated novel, " Les Miserables." A young man having once fallen into crimo, being perpetually prevented from regaining his position by the interference and continual shadowing of the police. Ho submitted that the principle of English law was the reformation of criminals, not tho creation of them. Accused, upon going into tho witnessbox, stated thab his name was James Harvey. He had had since the 20th July quito sufficient money to pay his way. He was a bookmaker and made bets. L He had since that date drawn £8 159 oub of the bank. With ib ho paid for his board and lodging, and purchased a hawker's license from the City Council. He had been constantly followed by the police. The detectives' had searched ais room and clothing on. two occasions. One afternoon, when trying to effect a sale of eerge, Detective Grace came up and interfered, calling him aside. On another occasion he saw Detective Chrystal following him,c bo he jumped into a cab and told tho driver to drive him up to the top of Queen-streeb. Detective Chrystal at once sprang forward, and stopping the cab asked tho man what address or direction witness had given him. Witneas ab this stage produced ten £1 notes and a £5 note as his own property. Mr Napier: These are nob "shoddy" notos, Your Worship. Inspector Hickson: Only £15; I expected him to produce a great many more than that. Mr Napier : It is strange that he Bhould be charged with having no visible moans of support then. Accused was then examined by Inspector Hickson, Inspector Hickson : Is nob the money that you have producod part of the funcia of a company of thieves banded together to assist each other when brought to Courb— the one charged to produce the whole sum if neceesary to clear him?— No. Mr Napier asked if it were a joint stock regisbered company. Inspector Hickson replied ib was nob a registered company, for very good reasons. He informed the Bench thab there was a number of thieves banded together in Auckland, who, under the pretence of selling various articles, wormed themuelves into people's affairs, and robbed them. Inspector Hickson (to witness): Have you ever used any other name but Harvey ? —Yes, Buckley. Any other alias?—l don't think co. Did you never use tho name Willis ? —No. The Bench dismissed the case without comment