MASQUERADING.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 288, 29 August 1908, Page 7

MASQUERADING.

YOUNG MAN IN FEMALE CLOTHING. An unusual ohaTgO' was preferred at the Magistrate's Court yesterday, when a young inan named-Denis Wm. Quill appeared on remand on-a cliargo of being an idle and disorderly' person" irithin tho meaning of the Police Offences' Act,' 1884, in that ho was found ill' I'irio Street, oil tho night of August 23;'disguise^'in female clothing. Mr.., Derate-. appeared for accused, who pleaded -not guilty to being an idle and disorderly- person." CASE FOR THE PROSECUTION. Evidenco for tho prosecution ■ alleged that defendant, who was only 21 'years of age, was inclined -to be "wild." Ho invested in some'female clothing recently) attracted by the; cheapness of the goods,' which he pur-.fcliased-for a sister 16 years of age, It was stated'that On Sunday last a'Mrs. Ralph, residing in Queen Street, was about to enter her - house when sho was attracted by defendant's appearance. He appeared, to be watching tho house, and the lady went i» and: informed her sbh. Defendant walked away into Austin ■ Street, and then on ; to Ririo Street; Subsequently Mrs. . Ralph's son: caught defendant, in Pirio Street near the tram tunnel. Quill was dressed in fe-ma-lo"attire,' excepting that'he had a man's cap. on'and wore an overcoat. In reply to Mr. Deviue.'Mrs. Italph stated that the man did not molest, her iii any way. 111 fact, he rather tried to avoid her. . ' ,

. ...-Young Ralph ' said ho overtook defendant -near : the,' tuniiel aiid bailed, him up. Dei fondant.;'struggled, and said he would not do.it' again, which witness.took-to mean ne'wpuld, ao no' more masquerading. At .this"stago." several .young, men appeared '.W' the gceno and assisted Ralph with the captive; eventually escorting him to the Mount Cook Police , Station, where ho arrived stripped'of most of his clothing.' • Evidence was also given by Alfred Thomas fliw.oJ >vhom stated, that there., yas.; not, much !pt tho female-attire left afterj.tKd ; Btruggle,, Defendant had a 'complete femalo' oijtfit on,. including ■ corsets, skirt, :bodice, petticoat, alip-Jjodipe, suspenders, and other femalp underclothing. Defendant said lie was laying- a trap for someone—a hoarder. ...

Constable . Dyer stated that lie saw defendant at Mount Cook Polico Station at 11.30 p.m.' on Sunday, last; Quill was then in a half-dressed state. Witness went up to the, top; of .Pirie Street and found the remnants of ,q, miscellaneous collection of female clothing'(produced). The clothcs wero scattered all over the road. Defendant appeared ■to boiquite sober." . • THE DEFENCE; : ; • , Mr..;'Devinb. : stated that the absence . <>f parental, control, had affected accused's behaviour.. He was apprenticed at Messrs. Luko and Co.'s engineering works, and had been behaving himself well for. the past few months, but was unfortunately addicted to drink, some of which liad been supplied to him by friends on the day:in question. Although defendant had been foolish' and had ; practised a joke, thoro was no felonious intent in what ho had done, and counsel urged that tho law was not framed for the purpose of.meeting such cases .as, the".present one. .. . . ; r Defendant went into the witness-box and' stated that lie boarded in Queen .Street, was apprenticed to the engineering, and had put, on the clothes in a 6pirit of mischief to have some fun with a fellow hoarder" as ha (tho boarder) come home. . 'Witness said nothing to anyono in the house as to what he_. intended to do. He had no intention of doing any. harm. His Worship said this little, bit of fun might liavo been tho 'means of giving defendant sis months' imprisonment. Tho pro.sent caso should act.as.a warning. The objeotof tho Legislature was to prevent people putting on disguises for tho purposo of committing .an .offence. The . Court was quite .certain accused had no intention of doing anytliiiigjjnore than play a. practical,.joke, but.,t|,M, heeii! very foolisp.jJ'ho informa- , tion! Yfwtfajibo dismissed.. loo ', "J „*^