"I DID IT."

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 172, 21 July 1921, Page 7

"I DID IT."

r "■ 1 ■ ONLY A PENNY _.___. OFT OF WORK AXD HOMELESS. GAOL AS A REFUGE. As Constables.. Hargrave- and Duke were quietly meditating on the peacofulness of that winter's eve in the warm comfort of the police statioi, m Prineois Street last night, there came a crash and a smash and a thud to the«r startled cars. ,\ 6hower of glass and a hurtling stone indicated the occasion, and the cold air from outside swept in tnrough a broken window to dispel the indoor snug* ness of police headquarters. Constable Hargravcs went to the watehhouse door, and there came to him a man who said ■'] did it!" "Come inside," said the officer, nnd the strnnsc-r entered, and told his tale before the fire. He was out of work, destitute — and desperate. "My name is Harry Brown," lie said, replying to the not unkindly questions of the officers of the law. "I am a native of England. 42 years of age. 1 have been in Xew Zealand for the past 1"> year*. I am a labourer by occupation. 1 was last in employment as ronseabout to a farmer name Smith, near Waitare. 1 left there a month ago, ass the job had finished. I had then Co. 1 have tramped about the country ever since looking for work, without success. I came to Auckland on 10th inst. from Masterton. 1 tried hard to obtain work here, but failed. I stayed last, night nt a house in Hobson Street, paying my way there. I bad Oil left this morning, and had a cup of tea and cakes. This left mc one penny. 1 tramped about the city to-day looking for a job. 1 attended the meeting of the unemployed in the city. It was not that fact which made mc break this window. 1 hud made up my mind to pack my swag again today and go back into the country; but what's the use, for things are as bad for work there a3 they are in the city. So I made up my mind to be locked up to get away from the bad weather. T came up here and found a stone just outride. I threw it through the window. I could not think of any other way to get locked up." Brown was charged before Mr. Poynton, S.M.. at the City Court this morning with having wilfully damaged a plateglass window valued at 35/, the property of the Xew Zealand Government. He seemed to be a strong, respectable man, capable and willing to work. He was ordered to pay 35/ damages, or go to gaol for a fortnight. As he had no money but a penny he went to gaol.