VAGRANCY CHARGES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 16, 19 January 1905, Page 5

VAGRANCY CHARGES.

A REMARKABLE DELUSION AND A MATTER-OF-FACT -EXCUSE* r

Thomas Kerr, a neatly-dressed man, stood in the dock at the Police Court this morning before two Justices, churg-, ed with being an idle and disorderly person having insufficient lawful means of support, but it was at once explained by the ■ police prosecutor, Sergeant Hendry, that he was more unfortunate than criminal, as he was perfectly sane except upon one point. The sergeant considered that Kerr must be mentally afflicted, as he said he had a delusion that voices were always ordering him to do wrong things, and that they prevented him from working. Kerr came to the Police Station yesterday, and said that he was destitute. He was referred to the Charitable Aid Board, but this morning' he returned and said he had had no food and had been walking about the streets all night. There was, therefore, no alternative but to charge hiro with vagrancy. The man was discharged from the asylum twelve months' ago, and it would be wise to remand him for a week so that he could be examined by the gaol surgeon. Dr. Carolan, the presiding Justice,asked Kerr why he could not get work. "I'm not allowed," said the accused, positively. Sergeant Hendry: The voices won't allow him. Be is "sane on every other point, but on that he is a. lunatic. Kerr was remanded in custody to be kept under medical supervision for a week. A more matter-of-fact excuse for neglecting to maintain himself was given by" Francis Murphy, a middle-aged man, who was also charged with vagrancy. He pleaded guilty, and explained that rheumatics in his leg prevented him doing heavy work. As he could not get a light job he had to go without.: "I think the talk about rheumatics is bogus," declared Chief Detective Marsack, who said that Murphy had been warned some months ago that he must get work. He did not keep himself clean, and wherever there was a crowd he was found loafing. He had nerved a six-months' sentence for theft. When he saw witness he seemed to be able to get out of the. way very quickly in spite of his alleged rheumatics. Murphy was sentenced to three months' imprisonment.