GIRL VAGRANT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 95, 22 April 1922, Page 7

GIRL VAGRANT.

GAOL FOR THREE MONTHS. BREACH OF PROBATION. Quecnie Harwood, the 18-year-old girl whom the police were diligently searching for after a warrant was issued for her arrest when she failed to appear on remand at the City Court to answer a charge of drunkenneeß, was apprehended yesterday and brought before Mr. Poynton, S.M., this morning. She was then charged with having f ailed to observe the terms of her probation after having been released when convicted of vagrancy in connection with the case in which she and two other young women were found under demoralising circumstances in Chinese premises in Wyndham Street. The girl was stylishly attired.

Senior-Sergeant Rawle stated that- the girl was supposed to have gone to a situation at Papatoetoe. She failed to do so, but wired Adjutant Gordon, of the Salvation Army, that she was there and happily employed. Recently the constable at Avondale was called to a disturbance out there caused by this young woman and some young men. She had been "knocking about" in a. discreditable manner. _, Mr. Poynton, S.M.: She had her chance to reform and threw it away. The only thing is what to do with her—to give her three months' gaol or place her under control in some other institute.

Constable Douglas gave evidence that he knew the girl prior to her mix-up with the Chineee. Some two years ago he was watching the house of a convicted prostitute at Avondale, and saw Queenie Harwood go there at night with two men. Since her release on probation after the Chinese case he had been called by telephone to a row in New Lynn in which the girl and two men in a motor were concerned.

In answer to Mr. Poynton the girl replied 6he had nothing to say. "Three •months* imprisonment," pronounced the magistrate.

"Oh, call her back," said the magistrate, ac Queenie left the dock. The girl then faced the magistrate again, weeping with bowed head.

"You have no solicitor,'' said Mr. Poynton, "and I wish to explain the position. You are charged with breaking your probation. What do you say to that?"

The girl made no reply. f "I will £ive you a chance to get a solicitor if you wish," continued Mr. Poynton. "Have you anything to say about it? By coming back to town.anil getting drunk you broke your probation."

The girl said she pleaded guilty. ''She goes and gets beastly drunk/ remarked the magistrate—"young girl as she is—and when she is released in the care of the Salvation Army' arid ordered to come here on remand she runs away and hides herself, and a warrant has to be issued for her arrest."'

After consultation with the Salvation Army officer the girl said she did not wish to defend the charge.

■'Very well, I*'1 *' said Mr. Poynton. "Three months."

Queenie Harwood then proceeded to Mount Eden.