SINGING IN THE PARK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 149, 25 June 1932, Page 8

SINGING IN THE PARK.

ELDERLY MEW ARRESTED

METHYLATED SPIRITS FOUND,

MAGISTRATE'S ULTIMATUM.

Late last night a police constable hoard a chorus being lustily rendered in the pavilion at Victoria Park. Going to investigate, he found Henry Joseph MeKeon, aged OS,. Alexander McNaughton, 00, and William Green, 55, sitting on the steps, all singing merrily.

The three were arrested, and then appeared at the Police Court this morning 011 charges of being idle and disorderly persons with insufficient means of support. All pleaded not guilty.

Constable La Vie said McKeori and McNaughton each had a large bottle of methylated spirits alongside them.

Detective Sergeant Kelly: That's what was making them sing. (Laughter.)

McNaughton: One bottle was full ofwater. 1 was using the spirits to rub my sore knee with. (More laughter.)

A Salvation Army officer said two of the , men were pensioners and were working at Dairy Flat. They came into town to draw their pension. Both would return if given a chance.

"Yes, I've been at Kaipara for years mid years," said McNaughton.

Mr. Hunt: You ought to get six months. Look at your list of previous convictions —two pages of them. You started in 1880—that's 52 years ago— and you are still going steadily.

All three men were convicted and ordered to come up for sentence within six months. "Now, if you are not out of the town and back at work. 111 send you up above," was Mr. Hunt's last