ALLEGED IDLE AND DISORDERLY PERSON.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9736, 26 May 1897, Page 5

ALLEGED IDLE AND DISORDERLY PERSON.

At the Auckland Pol—c Court yesterday Charles Curran, a young roan respectably dressed, was charged with being an idle and 'disorderly person, and halving no lawful visible means of support. Defendant, who pleaded " Not Guilty," was represented by Mr Napier. Constable Kennedy deposed that at the station be offered witness and another constable £5 between them if they ' would let him go. He was to be seen about the streets at all hours of the night, and he did no work, but followed np races. Chief Detective Grace said he had known accused for some years. He had never known him to do any work. He was often seen in the j company of convicted thieves, and was one of the "welshing" class. At the present time witness co_a muster in the city about fifty of his class. They could not find a living in any other part of the oolony, and they flocked to Auckland because they were so leniently dealt with. The present accused dared not set his face in Wellington. There was a convict—« against him &M»for Ccmtahlo JM_s taid

accused at night time usually followed tip "drunks." fie . attended race meetings, and pushed his way amongst the crowd but never seemed to bet. He was about tho streets at all hours of the night. Mr Napier contended that the police had not proved the accused was without means on the date oh which he was charged with being a vagrant. It had been sworn he had £10 4s on him when arrested. To have money was to have lawful means of sapport. Mr Hannan said it was for the accused to show that he came by this money honestly. For the defence evidence was Sven to show that accused had "made" aks at racenieetings. He had £10 4s and a gold watch on him when arrested, and he had paid bis board regularly. The Bench sentenced accused to six months' imprisonment with hard labour, but agreed to delay execution of the warrant for seven days to give the accused an opportunity of leaving town.