NOT CRIMINALS BUT—

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 167, 18 July 1927, Page 10

NOT CRIMINALS BUT—

MEN WHO WILL NOT WORK.

BOTH SENT TO GAOL

ONE ATTEMPTS TO PAWN GIFTS

"They are not criminals but —well wild horses would not drag them from town. They hang about the city and will not work.''

Thus did Senior Detective Hammond sum up Daniel Hebley (30) and Ernest Gallott (53) who appeared in the dock at the Police Court this morning on vagrancy charges. Hebley denied that he was an idle and disorderly man with insufficient means of support, while Gallott admitted that the charge against him was true. Mr. E. H. Sharp, secretary of ihe Auckland branch of the Keturned Soldiers' Association, said he knew both men. Hebley came to witness' office on Friday last and stated that he was going to a job at Paeroa. He had his train ticket and asked for assistance. He wanted some blankets and witness gave him an order to secure two blankets costing 14/6 each from a city firm.

Then Detective Knight entered the witness box. He knew both men and had warned them both for being idle about the city. Three weeks ago he warned Hebley one afternoon, but the same evening he saw him quite drunk. Hebley had been well treated bv charitable organisations in the city and had been given many opportunities to leave the city, but he would not go. Gallott was much the same.

On Saturday morning Detective Sneddon found both Hebley and Gallott in a pawnshop. Hebley was endeavouring to dispose of the blankets.

Hebley then gave evidence. He was in a trembling state and could scarcely speak.

Senior Detective Hammond: You drink a lot, that's your trouble, is it not?— No.

"Well, just look at yourself. You are shaking and are nearly in the D.T.'s now."—l am always like this and drinkis not the cause either.

Mr. Hammond said that Hebley had been to the island on two occasions. Both men had lists.

Heblev was sent to gaol for two months and (Jallott was sentenced to one month's imprisonment.