HUSBAND AND WIFE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 31, 7 February 1928, Page 5

HUSBAND AND WIFE.

ARRESTED FOR VAGRANCY. LAZINESS STRONGLY DENIED. FAMILY OF SEVEN IN TENT. "The reports I have about you are all to the effect that you are lazy and that you refused to take a job that the police found for you," said Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., to Allister Ernest McDonald (39) J who stood with his wife, Lois McDonald (43), in the dock at the Police Court this morning. Both were charged with being idle and disorderly persons with insufficient means of support, each pleading not guilty. "That is absolutely quite wrong," replied the husband. "I have never been offered a'job by anybody. I was working yesterday and again this morning until I left for Court." ° Sub-Inspector McCarthy said that Mr. and Mrs. McDonald had five children, ranging from a baby in arms to a child of fourteen years. Last week the whole family had been put out of their home and when found yesterday by a constable they were all living in an improvised tent at Orakei. The husband was a g< ! electrician, but it seemed that he would not work at anything else but his own trade. Something would have to be done with the five children. "Look here," spoke the magistrate, again in a very loud voice, "you must understand that you have to look after your family and work or I will send you to Mount Eden, where you will work for three months." Again the husband and also the wife denied that a position had been offered or found for them. Mr. Hunt adjourned the case for a fortnight.