HUMAN FAILURES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 206, 29 August 1905, Page 4

HUMAN FAILURES.

Three young women of the unfortunate class were charged with vagrancy this morning in the Police Court before Mr R. W. Dyer, S.M. They all bore bad records, and as their chances had been exhausted, they were sent to prison. Barbara Craigie, who pleaded not guilty, was charged with being a rogue and a vagabond, in that she had no lawful means of support. Evidence was given by several constables, showing that the accused was frequently to be found at a late hour in the streets, that she had no apparent means of support, except immorality, and that she was addicted to drink. She had served two months' imprisonment in 1904 for vagrancy. "It seems a kindness to send you to prison," remarked the magistrate to the accused, whom he sentenced to six months' hard labour, telling her that in prison at least she would be unable to get drink, and would be able to lead a decent life. Florence Nicholson pleaded guilty to j a charge similar to that preferred i against Craigie. "If anything," remarked the magistrate, "your record is worse than that of your companion." He passed a sentence of six months' hard labour. charged with vagrancy, Sub-Inspector Black stated th_at she was the woman alleged to have been thrown in the harbour from a fishing-boat. When that ease was concluded she promised the magistrate to enter the Door of Hope Home, but she had not stayed there, preferring to lead a dissolute life on the streets. When evidence had been given by everal police officers, Sub-Inspector Black suggested that the case was one in which tbe woman might be given the opportunity of entering a borne. The magistrate asked a Salvation Army officer who was in the Court if the institution was open to the accusedTht reply was in the affirmative. "I'd sooner go to prison," remarked the accused, who was crying. "Don't you want to reform?" queried j the magistrate. "It's no good going there, because I can't stay," was the accused's explanation. "Well, that is the best I can do for you," decided the magistrate, who sent tbe woman to prison for four months, t