POLICE COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 22, 26 January 1924, Page 12

POLICE COURT.

(Before Mr. J. W. Poyiiton, S.M.) DRUNKENNESS. Margaret Rutherford (38). was charged with her fourth statutory offence. Serjeant Kowell handed up her list, which contained ;S1 previous convictions. «he Ms sentenced to one month's imprisonment. BOARDERS OF "THE DUGOUT." Late last night Constable Aplin, of Hip waterfront police. paid a visit of inspection to the reclamation area in Freeman's Hay, where a number of m<-n have been sleeping out recently. As a result of his visit tour men appeared in the dock. They were John Edwards I7i). John Knud.'en (7U). .Tames Hedley (4,~>1. and George Harrison. The first tlire.e were, each charged ivith being idle and disorderly, with no lawful vifihle means of support. Hurri- • soii wa.- fliarge.d with bring an incorrigible rogue, having been convicted on 's. similar offence in September last. 1 Constaible Aplin stated that these ! men had l-ecti sleeping in what was I known a* "'Die Dugout" cm the Tec" :it freeman's Bay. Harrison was a methylated spirit fiend and was in a filthy condition. He only came out of gaol a few weeks ago. j •This man is in a deplorable condition." said Sergeant Kowell. "Ho is something awful." "Yes, I can sen that by the way.he is shaking. His nerves are completely gone." replied .Mr. Poynton. "I see he ha? a tremendous list. He will be better up above, where lie will get a good clean up. Six mouths." "Now. what have you got to say, Edwards. You were up here on January 1-1, when 1 gave you a chance to save your Old Age Pension?" - asked the magistrate. "Oil I went round yesterday to do a bit of washing, sir." '"Will yon go to the Old Men's Home if 1 give you another chance. They will take a little of your money, but will leave you enough for tobacco?" —"Yes, 1 will go, your Worship." "All right, adjourned until February 2, and in the meantime you go up tJ the home," said Mr, Poynton. Kiiudsen. i! was also stated, was in n filthy condition. Nothing was known against him criminally. Mr. Poynton: Have you ever heen in the home?-—X". I have not, and I don't want to go thert- yet cither. •'Oil I think you would be better ill the home Knudsen. I'll adjourn your case until the '2nd too, and you can make arrangements to enter the. home" —"Well, give , mc a few days. sir. so that 1 can sell my share in the 'Dugout , " was the old chap's final renvirk. In the ease of the youngest of the quartet. Hedley, Sergeant Rowell stated that he was also a victim to the methylated spirit habit, although he certainly did some. work. "I'll take out an order against, myself, sir. if you give mc a chance," said Hedley. "Well, you know that you are on the "down-ward p:*i-h Hedley." Mr. Poynton said, "and unles3 you stop drinking spirits you will cither he found dend, or it will send you to the asylum. However, yon are not a criminal, fo I will bans this over your head and order you to come up for sentence within six I months. Xow you go and take out a prohibition order." ASSAULT. For assaulting Samuel D. Armstrong, in Grey Street yesterday. Robert Mitchell Gibson (29), was lined £2, and ordered to pay expenses of one witness. For accused. Mr. Ooldwatev said that Gibson struck Armstrong owing to a misunderstanding, and afterwards apologised for his action.