LABOURER ARRESTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 204, 29 August 1929, Page 8

LABOURER ARRESTED.

VAGRANCY CHARGE FAILS. LEAVING FOB COUNTRY. POLICE GLAD TO SEE HIM GO.

Arrested yesterday .by .. Detective Packman on a charge which deemed him to be an idle and disorderly person, with insufficient means of support, John Henry Peach, aged 29, a labourer, appeared at the Police Court this morning. Represented by Mr. Alan Smyth, Peach pleaded not guilty. Evidence was given by Detective Packman that for the last ten clays Peach had been about the hotels in the city associating with undesirables. Witness received information yesterday that Peach was seen opening the door of a motor car. Shortly afterwards, the owner called at the detective office and complained that his coat had been taken from the car. Aβ far as witness knew, Peach had not been working since he came to Auckland. He had 2/ on him when arrested. Peach had said that lie had been employed as a cook by the Public Works Department in a country camp, but had left because the men there became dissatisfied.

Mr. Smyth submitted that there was no case for accused to answer. He had been working in the country, and had not been longer than ten days in Auckland. Evidence that he had been, seen in company with undesirables did not affect the case, as accused was not charged with consorting.

Mr. Cutten held that there was a case to answer.

Counsel then put his client into the witness box.

Peach said he. had been working in the country. He had about £8 due to him by the Public Works Department, after he had paid a country grocer his account. Witness had £3 in Remuera which belonged to him. Detective Sergeant Kelly: You came here from Australia about six years ago?— Yes, I did. " You brought your criminal credentials over with you, too? —No. Well, you were sentenced to one month's imprisonment in Victoria for theft, and you were once dealt with under the Naval Discipline Act? —Yes.

You have also been admitted to probation, and are still on probation. Once you were up for a breach of probation 1- — Yes.

Peach said he would go back to the .country to seek work. Detective Sergeant Kelly: Is there a reasonable possibility of your going to the country?— Yes, I can go to-mor-row.

Well, that's the place I would like to see you go to. Mr! Cutten dismissed the charge on condition that Peach went to the country, and did not remain in town.