VAGRANT HUNTING IN THE CITY.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10150, 24 September 1898, Page 8

VAGRANT HUNTING IN THE CITY.

FOUR ARRESTS

The detective force of the Oi.il-lc'uiicfc police inaugurated a vagrant hunt last night, with, to them, highly satisfactory results. Hearing that something exciting was likely to take place, a representative of the Press watched the proceedings, which took the form of a iaid on a certain

small house in St. Asaph street west. The whole of the detective force, headed by Chief-Detective Chrystnll, were engaged. Arrived at the bouse, two went to the, back and three to the front door. An old woman opened the latter door, in answer to repeated knocking. The police entered, and the scene to the uninitiated only showed an old woman in the act of bandaging her son's hand. She expressed the greatest bewilderment and surprise. There was no one in the house but herself and the boy, shu said. What did the police want coming to decent people's houses? A search was made, and iv a small crib at the back a young and buxom woman and a man were found hiding. The young woman expressed herself freely about the police in general, and the Christchurch police in particular. She had been lagged before, she said, aud supposed she could do a time again, if she had to do it on her : ead. " Who's this ?" she continued, turning to the Press reporter. t «' Oh, he's lately joined," said one of the detectives.

" And he's under Chrystnll," she retortedj " 'eaven 'clp 'im. Why don't yon run so and so in ?" she added.

" Oh, we got word from the gaol that they wanted a lot of washing done," said a detective, " so we came for you." " Well," was the reply, "I won't do it, I'll do solitary first." While this was going on inside, and the lady was using language that was sulphurous but effective, Detectives Chrystall and Marsack had quietly gone outside and shut the door. Presently another man that was "wanted" came along. Hearing the noise, he turned to decamp, but the police were too quick for him, and he was bundled inside. Ho remarked that ho was very much hououred at the unexpected visit, and expressed a hope that he would be able to find lodgings for his friends. " Don't bother," said a detective politely, "wo intend to find lodgings for

you." A minute or two later the detectives outside secured two more, and attempted to get them inside. The man who had entered last, however, locked the door and placed his back against it. A struggle ensued between him and Detectives Cox and Cassells, and he was removed amid what can only be described as a " jamboree" of the wildest kind. The old woman howled, the younger one swore, with artistic effect ; the young man who had been apprehended first made sarcastic remarks of a general nature with much freedom, and the obstreperous gentleman managed to struggle and do the other things as well with a success that would have procured him a circus engagement anywhere. Eventually the last two were got inside. While the police were taking stock of the place the females indulged in conversation. They recounted to one another fictitious stories about the police officers present that were somewhat too racy for publication. They turned their attention to Detective Chrystall. of whom they did not appear to entertain a particularly high opinion. Their remarks about the appearances of the various members of the raiding force were decidedly pointed. Tho " new policeman" they regarded with considerable pity. "He doesn't know who he's mixed up with," they said with a sigh. After the house had been searched two men and two women wore ..marched off to the police station. They made the road lively with their remarks. One woman who had been making violent, love to a wellknown member of the detective force all the way along, much to the amusement of the others, was of a very philosophical turn of mind. When they reached the station, one of the others remarked that she did not ex. pect to get there just that night. "Oh, well," replied the philosophical lady, "we've tsot no rent to pay." Turning to the watchhouse keeper she concluded, " See that I get a spring mattress, and bring my hot water early will you?'' "You'll get into hot .water soon enough," was the reply. The four will make their appearance at the Police Court this morning..